The companies were in 2019 awarded a R292m tender by the city to upgrade its Rooiwaal wastewater treatment plant to improve the quality of water in the cholera-hit Hammaskraal area. The contract was terminated in May last year and criminal charges laid against the three companies.
Mettler told Sowetan the city had intentions to blacklist Sodi as early as October, a month after he was appointed to his position. “The circumstances surrounding this undue delay will also be investigated by our internal audit. I initially was under the impression that it was sent in October already. I became aware today [Monday] upon your [media] inquiry when I requested a copy of the signed letter.”The letter is the first known step taken by any sphere of government to blacklist Sodi’s companies despite numerous state contracts that have been cancelled after he allegedly pocketed millions from the projects.