ActionSA is deeply concerned that Edwin Sodi and his associated companies Blackhead Consulting and NJR Projects have not yet been blacklisted by National Treasury and have not been included on the data base of Restricted Suppliers.  

Edwin Sodi and his companies have been at the forefront of maladministration and corruption related to the R295 million tender to refurbish and upgrade the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works. This failed project has cost the residents of Tshwane and particularly those living in Hammanskraal dearly and it is inconceivable that Sodi and his businesses are not currently precluded from doing business with any public entity.

National Treasury are the custodians of the blacklisting process and despite being requested by the Tshwane Municplaity to backlist Blackhead Consulting and NJR Projects, National Treasury has failed to do so.  

With rampant corruption and leakages in public entities, the failure by National Treasury is unacceptable. It is quite bizarre that as things currently stand, Sodi and his companies Blackhead Consulting and NJR Projects can continue to do business with public entities. With Sodi being connected to the ANC, and serious questions need to be asked of the National Treasury as to why they have not acted.

ActionSA has championed the fight against the corruption and maladministration linked to the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works and was instrumental in getting Special Investigations Unit to investigate the R295 million tender. Furthermore, ActionSA has ensured that within the Tshwane Municipality, officials who are responsible for with awarding the corrupt tender are held to account.

One of ActionSA’s core principle is that corruption must be declared as public enemy number one. In this regard, ActionSA has developed pragmatic and implementable policies which would eradicate corruption from public and private life. These include regulatory reforms, strengthening institutions and focusing on corruption prevention and prosecution. 

ActionSA will be writing to the Mr Enoch Godongwana, the Minister of Finance, to ask him to urgently investigate why Sodi and his companies Blackhead Consulting and NJR Projects have not been blacklisted and that they immediately be blacklisted. Should the Minister and national Treasury fail to act, ActionSA will lodge a complaint with the Public Protector requesting them to investigate the improper conduct by National Treasury.

 

Issued by Team FixSA Member: Finance Alan Beesley