Sodi paid for Nomvula Mokonyane and daughter’s holiday, Asbestos audit reveals
Authorities suspect money stolen from the controversial Free State asbestos audit tender may have paid for holiday expenses incurred by former minister Nomvula Mokonyane and her daughter.
This is according to evidence gathered by investigators of the Zondo commission.
An analysis of bank statements linked to corruption accused businessperson Edwin Sodi reveals that about R3,8 million was paid to entities owned by former Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates star Jimmy Tau between 2013 and last year.
On 14 September 2015, Tau through his company El Jefe Construction which received payment from Sodi’s Blackhead Consulting paid R200,000 towards a trip by Nomvula Mokonyane and her daughter. No details of the trip were provided.
The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) advised as per their investigation, Mr Tau made these payments for Ms Nomvula Mokonyane and her daughter, reads a commission investigation report of the asbestos project.
Asked for comment, Nomvula Mokonyane said:
I’m not aware my name has been cited anywhere in the said evidence and have not received any notice from the Commission as per rules stating that my name has been cited. To that extend, I cannot help you.
Tau was not reachable for comment.
Sodi scored big contracts worth millions of rands during the time Nomvula Mokonyane was premier of Gauteng, a post she held from 2009 to 2014.
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Sodi, who appeared before the Zondo commission said Tau was paid despite not having done any work related to the asbestos project.
“In the evidence unearthed by the investigators, there were records of payment to Mr Jimmy Tau, and you said he was not employed by BlackHead Consulting nor by yourself, correct?” Evidence leader advocate Paul Pretotius asked Sodi.
Sodi replied, “Well, he was not deployed by Blackhead in his personal capacity but there was a consulting agreement between Blackhead and one of Tau’s companies El Jefe.”
Sodi paid for Nomvula Mokonyane and daughter’s holiday, Asbestos audit reveals