Sodi: AFU seizes cars, property
Bank accounts of co- accused frozen
CURATORS are set to finalise the freezing of assets belonging to fraud and corruption accused businessman Edwin Sodi today, as part of the National Prosecuting Authority ( NPA) and the Hawks’ continued crackdown on alleged criminality.
Sodi is among a number individuals, including senior government officials, who were arrested and charged with fraud and corruption last week in relation to a R255 million asbestos contract, awarded to his company through an allegedly illegal unsolicited bid.
Millions of rand were then channelled to political heavyweights and top officials involved in the contract.
Yesterday’s asset seizure came as the NPA’S Asset Forfeiture Unit ( AFU) executed a freezing order granted by the Bloemfontein High Court on September 30, against the seven suspects, including Sodi.
A large media contingent camped outside Sodi’s Blackhead Consulting firm in Bryanston, Johannesburg, yesterday to catch a glimpse of the work done by PWC curators, appointed by the AFU to seize the assets.
The asset seizures contend that the work was never done and government funds wasted.
The State further argued that the assets were proceeds of crime.
NPA spokesperson Sipho Ngwema said the curators had started freezing assets on October 1 and were expected to finish today.
“We will then get a full report from the curator once they are done,” Ngwema said.
Sodi was released on R500 000 after his arrest and subsequent appearance at the Bloemfontein High Court with six other co- accused, including Free State human settlements department head, Nthimotse Mokhesi.
Among Sodi’s seized assets are his luxurious property in Bryanston, which had been on the market for R85m.
Ngwema said while Sodi and his co- accused’s immovable property was frozen, they would be allowed to continue occupying it as per the court order.
However, they were not allowed to sell, make changes or transfer ownership of the properties without the consent of the curator and the AFU.
Yesterday, two of Sodi’s luxury cars, a black 2019 Porsche Cayenne S Coupé and a Ferrari, were seen entering the Blackhead Consulting premises for observation by the curators.
Mokhesi’s seized assets include a 2017 Ford Ranger and a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, among other cars, while his two properties in Bloemfontein and Sasolburg were also seized.
All bank accounts belonging to the accused have been included in the freezing order and all those who had secured gifts that could have been proceeds of the alleged crime, have been called to come forward with them.