For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Shomolekae.

Making headlines: Zizi Kodwa resigns as Minister amid corruption charges; ActionSA’s Mashaba, Beaumont step back from Parliament to focus on growing party; And, ANC says it repeatedly approached MK Party for meetings, unsuccessfully

Zizi Kodwa resigns as Minister amid corruption charges

Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa has announced his resignation, hours after he appeared in court over corruption charges.

Evidence from the Zondo commission of enquiry points to Kodwa receiving a R1.7-million bribe from an executive of a local technology company, which received government tenders.

Kodwa has “strongly” denied the allegations after being arrested. He has been granted bail.

In a statement, Kodwa said he had informed President Cyril Ramaphosa of his resignation while thanking him and the African National Congress for allowing him to serve.

ActionSA’s Mashaba, Beaumont step back from Parliament to focus on growing party

Fresh off the results of the 2024 national elections, ActionSA is setting its sights on the 2026 local government elections, ahead of which it is expending critical focus on party growth.

Party leader Herman Mashaba and spokesperson Michael Beaumont said they will entrust a team to represent the party in Parliament while they focus on growing the party ahead of the 2026 elections.

ActionSA, which garnered six Parliamentary seats, said its Senate had met to discuss its effectiveness as South Africa is set to be led by a coalition government for the first time, nationally.

As a component of these deliberations ActionSA has assembled a team with a wealth of experience in critical areas such as Community Development, Health, Governance, Finance, and Economic Development who will be representing ActionSA in the National Assembly.

And, ANC says it repeatedly approached MK Party for meetings, unsuccessfully

African National Congress national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri noted today that the party’s door remains open as the ANC continues to reach out to every political party that is keen to contribute positively to moving the country forward.

Bhengu-Motsiri was updating the media on the outcomes of the National Working Committee meeting and the selection process for Provincial Premier candidates, where she announced that the ANC had repeatedly reached out to the uMkhonto we Sizwe, a party led by former president Jacob Zuma, for an engagement meeting, with no positive response.

Following the May 29 national and provisional elections, the ANC lost its outright majority for the first time since the country's transition to democracy 30 years ago.

The ANC only managed to secure 159 of the 400 parliamentary seats.

Political parties have a two-week deadline to elect a State President.

Bhengu-Motsiri revealed the ANC is still awaiting the MK Party’s response.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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