ActionSA welcomes NDPP Batohi’s decision to review the withdrawal of corruption charges against Zizi Kodwa

1 November 2024

ActionSA welcomes the National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Shamila Batohi’s decision to review the irrational withdrawal of the corruption charges against former Minister and ANC MP Zizi Kodwa, who was accused of accepting a R1.7 million bribe in exchange for influencing the awarding of lucrative government contracts.

ActionSA issued an earlier statement expressing outrage at the decision to abruptly withdraw the charges against Kodwa, a sudden reversal that contradicted the NPA's earlier statements in late July, which expressed confidence in a guilty verdict for the charges.

Furthermore, ActionSA insists that while the review is welcomed, it offers little reassurance concerning the evident concerns about the prosecutorial conduct of the NPA, which in this instance appears questionable and reflects growing worries about the inadequate pursuit of corruption cases, especially against high-profile individuals.

ActionSA will await Advocate Shamila Batohi’s decision pending the outcome of her review of the earlier decision to withdraw the charges.

ActionSA reaffirms its determination to ensure that the NPA accounts for this decision, which, on the face of it, reflects a disorganised state of the NPA and, more worryingly, represents yet another failure by the NPA to prosecute state capture-related cases.

Issued by Athol Trollip, Parliamentary Leader, ActionSA, 1 November 2024