R3.5m paid to ANC in donations was not corruption

JOHANNESBURG – Blackhead Consulting director Edwin Sodi said on Tuesday that the millions of rand in donations paid to the African National Congress (ANC) were not corruption and were not tied to government contracts his company received.

The company made a profit of R200 million from a R255 million contract for auditing and removal of asbestos in the Free State, and another R100 million in Gauteng.

The state capture commission heard a trend about how Sodi funneled millions to current and former housing, government and ANC officials and the ruling party.

The names of Zizi Kodwa, Pinky Kekana, Paul Mashatile, and Zweli Mkhize appeared on Sodi’s payments.

One entry of R3.5 million went to the ANC and others went to current and former general treasurers of the party.

“I don’t think there is any crime in which someone supports a party of their choice. It seems a bit of an exaggeration to create the link between my donations to the ANC and the work we receive. I think it’s a bit of an exaggeration, ”Sodi said.

Sodi said that the payments recorded for the Minister of Labor and Employment, Thulas Nxesi, were school fees for a disadvantaged student.

He paid 6.5 million rand to Collin Pitso, a former Nomvula Mokonyane chief of staff, but said Pitso’s name was a reference for Kepi Construction, a company owned by Pitso’s father.

Rand 7.5 million was paid to Gauteng’s former Deputy Director-General for Housing, Bongani More, which he said was due to him becoming his business partner after leaving the government.

“Why would I pay you R7.5 million?” asked the commission’s evidence leader, attorney Paul Pretorius.

“When he left the government, we agreed to do business together,” Sodi said in response.

Sodi said he was not a cardholder ANC member, but supported the party.

LOOK: Procedures of the state capture commission

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