News24 reports that one of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s key lieutenants, Zizi Kodwa, spent parts of Monday evening telling the ANC’s integrity committee why he deserved to serve in the National Assembly.  

Kodwa, who heads the office of the ANC presidency, appeared on an initial list the committee compiled, along with 31 others the body had flagged as unfit to serve in the National Assembly.  Kodwa, was sworn in as a member of Parliament last week.  Confirming that he had appeared before the integrity commission, the former ANC spokesperson said:  "I did so last night.  I gave a detailed explanation.  It was in relation to the sexual assault matter."  He was referring to rape allegation that was levelled against him earlier this year when a woman sent a letter to the office of ANC secretary general Ace Magashule, claiming that Kodwa had raped her at a private function in April last year.  Kodwa dismissed the woman's assertion, claiming the allegations were part of a "dirty tricks campaign".  She later withdrew the complaint.

• Read the full original of Tshidi Madia’s report on the above story at News24
• Read too, ANC told to let SAPS deal with rape allegations, at SA Labour News

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