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ActionSA welcomes the Special Investigating Unit’s (SIU) proclamation to look into the corrupt awarding of contracts by the Lepelle Northern Water and Gauteng Department of Human Settlements to Blackhead Consulting, owned by ANC-affiliated businessman Edwin Sodi.

This development follows a series of investigations initiated by ActionSA, which revealed that two Sodi-owned companies, lacking the necessary experience and qualifications to oversee the upgrade, were dishonestly awarded the R290 million contract to renovate Phase 1 of the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works.

The Public Protector's recently released report verified that a major factor in the lack of clean water suitable for consumption by Hammanskraal residents was the Rooiwal Water Treatment Work's dysfunctional state and the fact that it was never renovated, even after Sodi's company, Blackhead Consulting, was awarded an R290 million tender.

As a result, the quality of life for residents living in Hammanskraal has been compromised and lowered, robbing them of their human rights to access clean water and sanitation.

ActionSA will continue to champion this fight, having lodged complaints to the Public Protector and the South African Human Rights Commission against the city and former mayor Randall Williams for their failure to consider the residents and act responsibly.

The complete disregard for the residents of Hammanskraal by those in government, including the awarding of a tender that was unlawfully, unfairly, and uncompetitively utilised, has cost not only the city but the people as well.

We hope this proclamation will produce favourable results, re-establish good governance along with financial stability, and in turn restore the rights of residents affected by this debacle.

Issued by ActionSA Gauteng Provincial Chairperson, Funzi Ngobeni