Edwin Sodi, a name synonymous with controversy in South Africa’s business circles, is currently under scrutiny for allegedly dipping his hands too deep into the cookie jar.
Edwin Sodi reportedly on SARS’s radar over R400 million tax evasion
The heart of the matter lies in Sodi’s apparent evasion of taxes amounting to R400 million.
This significant sum, first exposed by City Press, puts him in direct conflict with SARS, an entity not known for leniency towards tax defaulters.
Sodi’s financial affairs, made public by his flashy lifestyle, attracted the attention of ‘Uncle Sam’, who may have every reason to believe the crude businessman is not compliant with national tax obligations.
Sodi’s business dealings extend beyond mere financial disputes into allegations of corruption, notably his connection to the City of Tshwane.
His companies, NJR Projects and Blackhead Consulting were embroiled in a contentious tender to upgrade the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works plant in Hammanskraal.
Despite being awarded the tender in October 2019, the companies only managed to complete 60% of the work, costing the metro R295 million and leading to calls from Tshwane for their blacklisting by the National Treasury.
More disheartening, Sodi’s failure to honour his tender obligations culminated in a deadly cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal that claimed more than 15 lives in May 2023.
Should Sodi fail to settle his R400 million tax bill, the ramifications could be severe. Beyond the immediate financial strain, tax evasion carries potential legal consequences, including hefty fines or even imprisonment.
Moreover, the ongoing scrutiny from SARS and other regulatory bodies could lead to a deeper investigation into his business empire, potentially unravelling a web of illicit activities, which, to be fair, he brought onto himself with the ostentatious display of wealth.
Elsewhere, Sodi is also at the centre of the botched Free State asbestos tender, where he faces charges alongside former Free State premier Ace Magashule.