A 2017 red Ferrari Four F151, valued at R2.99-million, pulled out of Blackhead Consulting’s headquarters in Bryanston, Johannesburg, on Tuesday, the driver opening the throttle one last time before the car goes into storage.
The Ferrari was one of the vehicles the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA’s) Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) seized from politically connected businessman Edwin Sodi and his company Blackhead Consulting, after he and six others were charged in court last week for fleecing the Free State government of R255-million through an allegedly corrupt asbestos audit contract.
The AFU obtained a provisional restraint order against Sodi and his co-accused, allowing it to seize around R300-million in assets. On Friday, the AFU swooped on Sodi’s Johannesburg home as well as former Free State human settlements MEC Sarah “Olly” Mlamleli’s Bloemfontein property.
A red Ferrari belonging to Edwin Sodi and his company Blackhead Consulting after it was attached on 6 October 2020 in Bryanston. The car forms part of assets worth millions of rands. Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed
Mlamleli joined Sodi in the dock in the Bloemfontein Magistrates’ Court on Friday, along with Free State human settlements department head Nthimotse Mokhesi, businessman Sello Radebe, former director-general of the national department of human settlements Thabane Zulu, Free State human settlements supply chain manager director Mahlamola Matlakela and businessman Abel Manyeki.
They have been charged with fraud, theft, corruption and money laundering in relation to an irregular contract awarded in 2014 to Blackhead Consulting and Diamond Hill Trading to identify and remove asbestos from Free State homes.
The deal was worth R255-million, although only R21-million worth of work was carried out. The Auditor-General raised the issue of the illegal contract in 2015 after R91-million had already been paid.
The entrance to the Blackhead Consulting offices in Bryanston where the NPA, Asset Forfeiture Unit and Hawks began seizing assets belonging to Edwin Sodi. Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed
Instead of taking action, provincial officials allowed the deal to continue and the government paid the companies a further R139-million. Sodi has gone to court to claim another R25-million he believes he is owed.
Sodi is accused of paying kickbacks to government officials to secure the deal, something he recently dismissed when he appeared at the State Capture Commission of Inquiry.
Tender tycoon Edwin Sodi. (Photo: Gallo Images / Luba Lesolle)
The high-flying businessman, whose company earned over R1-billion in state contracts in the last decade, has also made generous donations to the ANC and some of its leaders.
The AFU’s provisional restraint order provides some detail of his luxurious life. He owns multiple properties, and vehicles registered in Sodi’s name include a Porsche Cayenne, a Rolls-Royce Ghost and a Bentley Continental.
A Porsche Cayenne belonging to Edwin Sodi and his company Blackhead Consulting is seen leaving the Blackhead Consulting offices after it was attached by the Asset Forfeiture Unit on 6 October 2020 in Bryanston. Photo: Shiraaz Mohamed
The AFU and curator Gerhard Geldenhuys from PwC were busy on Tuesday seizing Blackhead Consulting’s 25 vehicles, which include the Ferrari, a Porsche and another Bentley Continental, plus several Mercedes’ and Ford Rangers.
According to News24, Sodi recently listed his seven-bedroom Bryanston home on the market for a whopping R85-million.
The NPA and various law enforcement agencies continue to investigate the asbestos deal and more arrests are expected. The accused are due back in court on 11 November. DM
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I can see the finger prints of Ace Magashule all over this. Why can’t the Hawkes see them?
Be patient!
In a few months, despite all this publicity and roaring acclaims by the Hawks, NPA, and news media. this Sodi guy will be found “Not Guilty”. Despite Cronje’s (NPA) assurances, I simply have no trust in the NPA, Hawks, and Police. He will simply buy himself out, like hundreds of criminals before him. How come Ace Mageshule was not arrested with them? To me, all this does is for the NPA to pretend they are busy. Yet, it will once again be a failure, similar to the arrests some 2 years ago of those involve in the Vrede Dairy Farm. I agree with Donald Moore
They will nail Magashule when the canaries that have been arrested start to sing.
NPA putting the squeeze on Blackhead!
House put on the market to move the money offshore.
What on earth does one do with 25 vehicles??? Boggles the mind!!??
one for each minister in cabinet
The headline is erroneous.
The vehicles are not forfeited to the State. They have merely been secured and will only be forfeited if and when Sodi is actually convicted.
It makes good PR for the NPA but will only be meaningful if convictions are achieved.
We must wait and see but don’t hold your breath!