“Kodwa’s return as MP not a good look for the ANC,” says analyst

Political analyst, Goodenough Mashego, says the swearing in of Zizi Kodwa as an MP speaks to the African National Congress’ (ANC) realisation that the party’s time in power has run out.

Mashego says this also paints the liberation movement as an organisation that is now only focused of securing jobs and pension funds for its senior comrades.

His remarks come amid concerns from several quarters over the swearing in of former Sport, Arts and Culture Minister as a parliamentarian, alongside 58 MK party members, on Tuesday.

Kodwa resigned from his position earlier this month following his appearance at the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court alongside EOH’s Jehan Mackay on corruption charges.

Mashego says bringing back not only Kodwa, but Malusi Gigaba too, is not a good look for the ANC.

He says the party sold South Africans a smokescreen over the years through the concept of its stepping aside rule and ethics committee being effective.

Earlier this week, in a letter allegedly from ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula, he defended the party’s decision, saying stepping aside, only prevents Kodwa from holding a position of authority.

Mashego, however, says this rule like the others before it, hasn’t been executed as South Africans anticipated.

Mounting criticism

The ANC’s tripartite alliance, Cosatu, has labeled the move by its ally as ill-considered and says it undermines the party’s progressive step-aside resolution.

Mashego, however, believes Cosatu should stay out of this debate and mind its own business.

He urges the union to refrain from mistaking its role as that of governance.

The Azanian People’s Organisation (AZAPO) says this move confirms the ANC’s disrespect for the people of South Africa.

“AZAPO is, however not shocked that the ANC have pulled a stunt of this nature, against their own ‘Step Aside’ rule – even other members of the ANC, such as Nomvula Mokonyane, Gwede Mantashe, Malusi Gigaba and others were fingered in the State Capture corruption saga,” says the party in a statement.

AZAPO STATEMENT ON ZIZI KODWA SWEARING IN AS MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT(1).pdf

On the other hand, Political Analyst Professor Sam Koma, says the step-aside rule doesn’t apply to ordinary ANC MPs.

In the clip below, he explains how it actually works.