This, after the Hawks arrested businessman Edwin Sodi in connection with the housing contract earlier on Wednesday. In a joint venture with Diamond Hill Trading, Sodi, the CEO of Blackhead Consulting, was in 2014 awarded a tender worth R255 million by the Free State Human Settlements Department. His arrest follows his recent testimony before the State Capture Commission of Inquiry. OFM News yesterday reported that Sodi not only admitted failure to declare that his company had no accreditation to carry out the entire project, but admitted investing in a residential property in Bloemfontein with the then Head of the Department, Nthimotse Mokhesi.

Sodi also admitted to making several donations to the ANC and to several ANC members. Following his arrest, questions are now mounting as to whether politicians such as Paul Mashatile, Zweli Mkhize, Zizi Kodwa, and Thulas Nxesi will soon follow suit.

OFM News earlier this week also reported that Mokhesi during his testimony could not respond to questions as to why Sodi invested R650 000 in his house just months after Mokhesi’s department awarded the joint venture the R255 million contract. He could also not answer questions as to why a contract between himself and Sodi included a secrecy clause, indicating the property investment may not be disclosed to third parties.

The businessman also stands accused of making a R600 000 payment towards the purchase of a Range Rover for the national department's former Director-General, Thabane Zulu.

Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has, in her investigative report released in May, indicated major flaws with the contract awarded to this joint venture indicating that the department failed to follow proper procurement processes.

OFM News