PRETORIA – President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Maropene Ramokgopa as the acting Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, following the resignation of Zizi Kodwa. This interim appointment will remain until a permanent minister is selected for the new seventh administration.

According to South African Government News Agency, Zizi Kodwa stepped down from his role on Wednesday after appearing in the Palm Ridge Magistrate's Court facing allegations of receiving approximately R1.7 million in bribes. Kodwa has denied these charges. President Ramaphosa accepted Kodwa's resignation, acknowledging his previous contributions as Deputy Minister of State Security from 2019 to 2023, and his recent tenure as Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture since March 2023. Ramokgopa currently also serves as the Minister in the Presidency for Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation.