Controversial businessman Edwin Sodi. Photo:Screenshot
Image: Screenshot
Magalies Water has dismissed claims circulating on social media regarding the awarding of the Klipvoor Bulk Water Supply Scheme, a major infrastructure project aimed at delivering potable water to communities in the North West and Limpopo provinces.
The utility had condemned comments which erroneously allege links to Edwin Sodi, a figure whose reputation has become questionable in public discourse.
In May 2023, Sodi made headlines after 15 people lost their lives and over 50 were hospitalised following a cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal.
Sodi's company was awarded a R295 million tender to handle the long-standing water crisis in the area, however, the project was left incomplete.
He also has been implicated in the R255m failed asbestos project in the Free State.
According to Magalies Water spokesperson, David Magae, claims that Sodi has been given the project lack substance and are damaging to the organisation's credibility in managing ethical supply chain processes.
“The content is not only malicious and premature but seeks to cast doubt about the entity’s credibility to undertake ethical and legally sound decisions on matters related to supply chain management processes," he said.
Magae added that the project is almost in the final stages and is designed to specifically target local municipalities including Moretele, Bela-Bela, Modimolle-Mookgophong, and Mogalakwena.
"At this stage there are only two out of the seven work packages that are on construction stage, and both followed the stringent provisions of the Public Finance Management Act. The currently appointed construction companies for thee two works packages have completed other projects with Magalies Water, and there are no known links to Edwin Sodi," he added.
Magae further explained that currently, project implementation processes for the other work packages are still at early stages as the utility is engaging national government departments on a number of key issues, including funding modalities, technical project scoping and envisaged costs associated with the project.
"Therefore, when the procurement processes commence, such processes will be competitive, fair and transparent. Critically, given the magnitude of such a high-impact bulk water project, necessary checks-and-balances are done to ensure that any award of the tender is free of bias or any undue influence," he added.
sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za
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