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The group is made up of government officials and business owners, including the director of Blackhead, the inexperienced company paid R255 million for work that never materialized.
Members of the Hawks escort one of seven identified suspects for arrest on September 30, 2020 in a case involving an R255m asbestos removal project in the Free State. Photo: Abigail Javier / EWN
JOHANNESBURG – Seven suspects arrested in connection with the Free State asbestos project are expected to appear in court in Bloemfontein on Friday morning.
The group is made up of government officials and business owners, including the director of Blackhead, the inexperienced company that was paid R255 million for work that never materialized.
Edwin Sodi told the state capture commission that it was common for companies that had no experience to apply for work and then turn it over to other companies.
So his company, Blackhead, was paid R255 million to audit and remove the asbestos, but he always knew that the company would just “manage” the project.
It earned 200 million rand, while the company that ultimately conducted the audit received 21 million rand.
Corruption, money laundering and theft are among the charges facing the seven suspects arrested this week.
The first six suspects were arrested on Wednesday and the remaining suspect surrendered to police in KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday.
They are expected to request bail and the Hawks warned them that the longer they take to be detained, the more difficult it will be to secure their freedom.
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