NPA says delays in corruption case against Kodwa justified

JOHANNESBURG - The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says delays in the fraud and corruption case against former Sports Minister Zizi Kodwa are reasonable and justified.

Kodwa and his co-accused, ex-EOH executive, Jehan Mackay, briefly appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrates court on Thursday.

The court was supposed to rule on the pair's applications to have their charges dropped, but the matter was postponed again.

The case relates to allegations that the former minister received almost R1.7 million in kickbacks from Mackay in exchange for government contracts. 

Kodwa and Mackay made submissions to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to have their charges dropped.

READ: NPA denies claims its corruption case against Zizi Kodwa is weak

However, the DPP, scheduled to make a decision, has requested additional time to review and carefully consider their applications.

NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said while the matter has experienced further delays, cases of this nature require time.

"We made a commitment as the NPA that we will try our best to make sure that this matter is brought to finality, and we still retain it," said  Mjonondwane.

Kodwa and Mackay will return to court on the 1 November for a ruling on their bid to have charges withdrawn.