Edwin Sodi, the “king of nightclubs”? Tender mogul goes to live with new celebrity hot spot CT

Everything is set for the champagne-sparkling opening of serial entrepreneur Edwin Sodi’s chic new nightclub, Liv on Bree, in Cape Town this Friday, November 29.

The opening is expected to attract some of South Africa’s biggest names in entertainment, with a prestigious launch event planned in the Mother City.

“Cape Town nightlife will never be the same. Edwin knows the job by heart. We’re going to party this summer,” said a source close to the project. Zimoja.

Edwin Sodi’s nightclub empire: ‘Tenders could be a thing of the past’

“Tenders may be a thing of the past as the media still wants to know about its dealings with the government,” our source revealed.

The politically connected Bryanston businessman’s latest venture into the lucrative nightlife industry follows the runaway success of LIV Sandton.

Formerly known as Taboo, LIV Sandton last year became a hot spot for A-list acts under Sodi’s ownership.

The tender troubles of the Bryanston businessman

His involvement in the star hangout – located in Africa’s richest square mile – appears to have been a perfect distraction from his tender troubles.

In addition to being expected to owe the taxman the staggering sum of R400 million, the various companies of the director of Blackhead Consulting, including NJR Projects, risk a possible ban from doing business with the government for 10 years if they are registered on a blacklist.

The flamboyant socialite with a penchant for the good life has faced media scrutiny for his friendship with Vice President Paul Mashatile and his abject failure to respond to one of several tenders millions of rands that have fallen to him over the years.

Tender irregularities

The corruption-accused procurement magnate was dragged into the deadly Hammanskraal cholera outbreak debacle last year over “irregularities” surrounding the R295 million tender he was awarded. awarded to renovate and upgrade the Rooiwal Sewage Treatment Plant in Tshwane.

Last September, President Cyril Ramaphosa finally gave the green light to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate the tender linked to a joint venture between three Sodi companies: CMS Water, NJR Projects and Blackhead Consulting.

ALSO READ: R295m Rooiwal tender: Edwin Sodi and Tshwane Metro face SIU scrutiny

Edwin Sodi: Luxury properties and rides seized

The National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) looked into Sodi’s extensive range of luxury properties and vehicles in 2020.

The NPA seized 29 vehicles, 27 properties, 19 active accounts and household goods belonging to the bidder.

A 2017 Ferrari F151 worth about R3 million has been seized from Blackhead Consulting, a company owned by prominent businessman Edwin Sodi. He is said to be involved in the R255 million Asbestos project. #FSAasbestos Case pic.twitter.com/AwTjPoCySo

– POWER987News (@POWER987News) October 6, 2020

Lavish birthday party and much-delayed asbestos trial

Last year, however, Sodi celebrated his 50th birthday – with fireworks and champagne flowing like water – at his foreclosed R100-million Bryanston mega-mansion.

This is despite the property being part of assets worth R300 million frozen by the AFU in 2020 pending the outcome of the high-profile 225 asbestos tender fraud case. million rand against Sodi, former ANC secretary general and Free State premier Ace Magashule and their nine co-accused.

The much-delayed trial – which has been in the pre-trial phase for two years – is scheduled to take place from April 15 to June 23, 2025.

Responding to widespread outcry on social media over Sodi’s birthday party in Bryanston, NPA spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga said the house, along with other properties owned by the man cases, would only be confiscated for the benefit of the State if Sodi was convicted.

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