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All of them were charged on Friday with corruption, money laundering and theft in the Bloemfontein Court of First Instance in connection with the R255 million asbestos project.
Blackhead Consulting Director Edwin Sodi appears in Bloemfontein Magistrates Court on October 2, 2020 for corruption linked to the Free State’s asbestos abatement project of 255 million rand. Image: Nthakoana Ngatane / EWN
BLOEMFONTEIN – The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the National Tax Authority (NPA) has seized millions of rand worth of luxury cars and homes belonging to Blackhead Consulting director Edwin Sodi, his company, six other co-defendants And five other companies.
All of them were charged on Friday with corruption, money laundering and theft in the Bloemfontein Court of First Instance in connection with the R255 million asbestos project.
All seven were released on bail ranging from 50,000 to 500,000 rand.
#Asbestos
Suspects arrive at Bloemfontein court @nthakoana pic.twitter.com/52Pehi2s0J– EWN reporter (@ewnreporter) October 2, 2020
The house and cars of the head of housing of the Free State department Nthimotse Mokhesi in Bloemfontein were evaluated for a conservation order.
But Sodi and his company Blackhead had the longest list of assets, which included several properties, a Rolls Royce, a Bentley, a Ferrari, and some Porches.
NPA spokesman Sipho Ngwema said further arrests would be made in the coming days or weeks.
“That accusation means that we are ready to go to court even tomorrow because there are 60 charges there, they are clear [and] there is no doubt about the state’s case, ”said Ngwema. “Even the magistrate mentioned today that there is a prima facie case based only on the charge sheet.”
Supporters of the ousted Mangaung mayor Olly Mlamleli said the case against him was politically motivated, but other ordinary residents did not believe it.
“I am here to make an appeal on behalf of ordinary people who suffer from corruption, mismanagement and misuse of public resources,” said one resident.
The defendants were expected to appear in court again on November 11.
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