R1m was loan from friend – Kodwa

Former ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa admitted to payments being made into his bank account “on his request at times” when he was going through financial difficulties.

Kodwa appeared at the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture yesterday after he was implicated in a number of dodgy payments by head of ENSafrica Forensics Steven Powell in November last year.

Powell told the commission’s chair, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, that Kodwa allegedly received R375 000 from a former executive, Jehan Mackay, of technology group EOH Holdings between 2015 and 2017 – among other transactions.

However, it was found by the commission through bank details and statements that Kodwa received over R2 million in cash and other benefits.

Making an opening statement during the proceedings, Kodwa conceded that payments were indeed made into his account by Mackay. However, that was when he had been facing financial difficulties, he said.

The current deputy state security minister dismissed corruption allegations, saying the payments were not in exchange for political gains for the ANC, or to influence any tenders.

Kodwa told the commission that he was aware of the perception that him asking for the financial assistance from friends may seem like he was involved in corruption.

He confirmed to the commission he received a R1 million loan from Mackay.