Controversial businessman Edwin Sodi is a free man after the Randburg Magistrates Court dropped an attempted murder case against him. Sodi was charged with attempted murder, assault with intent to commit grievous bodily harm (GBH), and pointing of a firearm following an incident in Bryanston in 2022.

HE WAS GRANTED EXPENSIVE BAIL 

The incident included Sodi's estranged wife, Nthateng Lereta, and her friend, who opened a case against Sodi. After his arrest three years ago, Sodi was released on R150 000 bail after being arrested.

While the state wanted the matter to continue, Lereta and the friend withdrew the case in court yesterday. After being officially released, Sodi held an impromptu media conference inside the courthouse. He said he is relieved that the matter has come to an end. He said he has been attending the case for the past three years, for about 22 or 23 times. "These were nonsense allegations which were not sticking. I have serious matters to deal with. These were nonsense allegations which were not supposed to happen," said Sodi.

He said he was disappointed at the prosecution for trying to coerce the complainants to continue with the case when the charges did not stick. "The magistrate came to the right conclusion today. Whatever agenda was there, unfortunately it did not work," said an excited and relieved Sodi.

MORE COURT CASES

The businessman's legal challenges are far from over. He is due back in the dock from April 15 to June 23 with his co-accused in the Bloemfontein Magistrates Court in connection with a R255 million Free State asbestos contract. Sodi has also been implicated in the failure to deliver on a R295 million contract to upgrade and refurbish Tshwane Municipality's Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Plant. The Special Investigating Unit was given authorisation to investigate the Rooiwal tender.