The Hammanskraal cholera outbreak has spotlighted controversial businessman Edwin Sodi for a tender awarded to him to refurbish and upgrade the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Plant. The Department of Water and Sanitation has blamed the failure of the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works to meet the desirable final effluent quality for discharge to the Apies River, which in turn flows into the Leeukraal Dam. The City of Tshwane set aside R2 billion to upgrade the plant, which experienced various challenges in wastewater purification. ActionSA provincial chairperson Bongani Baloyi called out the Tshwane council for its failure to act on the findings of the party’s forensic investigation report. ActionSA provincial chairperson Bongani Baloyi called out the Tshwane council for failing to work on the results of the party’s forensic investigation report.
ActionSA provincial chairperson Bongani Baloyi called out the Tshwane council for its failure to act on the findings of the party’s forensic investigation report. The report from an ActionSA inquiry into the Hammanskraal water crisis found that five City of Tshwane senior officials must face criminal charges for their part in allowing an irregular and illegal tender to upgrade the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Plant. The forensic report found that the tender amounting to R295 million was awarded to companies belonging to Edwin Sodi for upgrading the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Plant and that neither of the companies had any experience in this kind of project. The City of Tshwane paid R1 million upfront to float the site establishment costs, and the joint venture had to cede R71 million upfront because it lacked the resources for the initial capital outlay. When the adjudication committee cancelled the tender award, the City of Tshwane inexplicably did not defend its decision in the legal proceedings brought by the joint venture.
ActionSA Tshwane caucus leader Thabang Sebotsane reaffirmed Sodi’s lack of competence for the task. Edwin Sodi is no stranger to controversy regarding alleged tender corruption and fraud. In October 2020, Sodi and ten others were accused of a crime involving a multi-million-rand asbestos tender. The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) seized 29 vehicles, 27 properties, 19 active accounts and household goods belonging to the tenderpreneur. The Zondo Commission also concluded that Sodi made various payments through his business bank accounts to “obtain access, secure influence, and retain connections with a number of individuals at provincial and national government”.
As cholera cases continued to climb this week, netizens referred to media reports regarding Sodi’s “share” in what has seemingly proven to be a deadly delay in upgrading the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Plant. Tweeps target Sodi’s lavish lifestyle, luxury cars and various girlfriends have come under fire.
