Sodi's lawyers challenge evidence against him in FS asbestos corruption case

JOHANNESBURG - Lawyers for controversial businessman Edwin Sodi have challenged the admissibility of the evidence against him in the asbestos corruption matter, citing a regulation from the State Capture Commission.

The trial into the awarding of the R255 million dodgy tender is continuing in the Free State High Court on Wednesday.

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Sodi, former Free State Premier Ace Magashule, and other former government officials are facing fraud and corruption charges in a matter that has been drawn out for at least five years.

Proceedings are currently underway where they are pleading to the charges.

According to Regulation 8 of the Commissions Act, no evidence given during the commission of inquiry shall be admissible in any criminal proceedings.

Sodi, the director of Blackhead Consulting, which was part of the joint venture that won the asbestos contract, appeared before the State Capture Commission in September 2020, where he made several concessions.

Sodi’s lawyer, Advocate Lawrence Hodes, said they would argue for the evidence he gave not to be used by the State.

Meanwhile, the lawyer for Thabane Zulu, the former director general for Human Settlements, said they would also bring a similar application before the court.