Assault case against Sodi struck off the roll
The attempted murder and assault case against controversial businessman Edwin Sodi has been struck off the roll by the Randburg Magistrates Court.
Sodi was accused of trying to shoot his estranged wife and striking her male friend with a gun over his head at his Bryanston home, nearly three years ago.
On Thursday, the court heard that both complainants no longer wanted to pursue the matter after all parties reached a settlement agreement.
Speaking outside court, Sodi said he was relieved to put the matter behind him.
“I’ve been coming to court for the past three years. I’ve been here 22 to 23 times. You can imagine how costly it is. The time, to be here all the time appearing over a matter that shouldn’t have even been here in the first place.
I’ve got other issues to focus on, I’ve got businesses to run, I’ve got serious matters to deal with. So, this is done.”
‘HIDDEN AGENDA’
The businessman described the allegations against him as nonsensical.
“Those were nonsense allegations, and eventually we can see that they were never going to stand. It’s taken this long for the court to come to the right conclusion. Something that should have happened a long time ago.
“When the complainants, who voluntarily, decide to withdraw and say [they] are not interested in the matter, but the state still persists and almost coerced them into proceeding with the case. The magistrate came to the right conclusion today. Whatever agenda was there has been defeated, and I am glad it’s done.”
In a statement, the National Prosecuting Authority said it remained committed to supporting victims of gender-based violence (GBV).
"The State expressed readiness to proceed with the trial, stating that it rejected the complainant’s withdrawal statement due to the widespread scourge of Gender-Based Violence in the country. 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."
Sodi’s name came up in the State Capture commission where he was accused of scoring government tenders and delivering sub-standard work.
READ: Tshwane asks Treasury to blacklist Edwin Sodi's companies
In Tshwane, the businessman was linked to the failed Rooiwaal wastewater treatment plant refurbishments.
He’s also been criminally charged alongside former Free State Premier Ace Magashule over the botched R255 million Free State asbestos project.
That matter returns to the Bloemfontein High Court for trial in April.
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