The attempted murder and assault case against controversial businessman Edwin Sodi has been officially removed from the Randburg Magistrates’ Cour roll following the withdrawal of charges by his estranged wife, Nthateng Lerata.

The decision comes as reports indicate that an out-of-court settlement was reached between the couple, effectively bringing to a close a troubling chapter that began in 2022.

Lerata first brought allegations against Sodi in 2022, alleging that she and a male companion, Faizal Motlekar faced a life-threatening encounter at the couple's Bryanston residence.

It was alleged that during the confrontation, Sodi allegedly attempted to shoot Lerata, but his gun jammed, and he allegedly used the gun to hit Motlekar on the head.

On Thursday, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Phindi Mjonondwane said the State expressed readiness to proceed with the trial, stating that it rejected Lerata's withdrawal statement due to the widespread scourge of Gender-Based Violence in the country.

"However, the court took into consideration that both complainants were absent in court and that one of them had filed a withdrawal statement. The second complainant indicated that he no longer wished to proceed with the case, subsequently the defence argued that the case be struck off the roll, which was granted by the court," explained.

Mjonondwane added that the NPA remains committed to supporting victims of GBV and will continue in its efforts to combat this scourge.

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In May 2023, Sodi made headlines after 15 people lost their lives and over 50 were hospitalised following a cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal.

Sodi's company was awarded a R295 million tender to handle the long-standing water crisis in the area, however, the project was left incomplete.

An independent commission of inquiry into the Hammanskraal water crisis, which was appointed by ActionSA in 2021, found that funds which were set aside for the upgrade of the Rooiwal water treatment plant, were missing.

ActionSA said Sodi’s company was not competent, nor did it have the capacity to handle the upgrade on the Rooiwal water treatment plant which started in October 2019.

Sodi has also been implicated in the R255m failed asbestos project in the Free State.

Allegations are that the contract was awarded to his company through an illegal unsolicited bid and that millions of rands were channelled to political heavyweights and top officials who were involved in the contract.

sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za

IOL News

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