Zizi Kodwa's request for leave to appeal Press Ombud ruling about story on Bosasa friend dismissed
25 September 2019
Retired judge Bernard Ngoepe has dismissed State Security Deputy Minister Zizi Kodwa's request for leave to appeal a Press Ombud's ruling which dismissed his complaint about an article News24 wrote regarding his friendship with a man implicated in allegations of bribery at the state capture commission of inquiry.
On February 10, News24 published a report by investigative journalist Kyle Cowan about Kodwa's friendship with Papa Leshabane, who former Bosasa COO Angelo Agrizzi claimed was the alleged bag man for alleged bribes to key officials to keep government contracts.
Kodwa complained to Press Ombud Pippa Green that his privacy had been violated and that he had been found guilty by association, just because he and Leshabane have been friends for years.
Kodwa said the article had led the reader "to a conclusion that suggests a corrupt relationship between me and Mr Leshabane".