Magalies Water dismisses claims of Edwin Sodi’s involvement in Klipvoor Bulk Water Project! Magalies Water has firmly rejected allegations 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 state-owned water utility condemned false claims linking the project to businessman Edwin Sodi, a figure who has been embroiled in several corruption scandals.
Magalies Water Addresses the Misinformation
In response to the allegations, Magalies Water spokesperson David Magae emphasized that these claims are unfounded and damaging to the organization’s credibility.
“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,” said Magae.
He reassured the public that the Klipvoor Bulk Water Supply Scheme follows stringent financial and legal protocols to ensure transparency.
Edwin Sodi’s Controversial Past Fuels Speculation
Speculation regarding Sodi’s involvement in the project arose due to his past dealings in high-profile government tenders.
-
In May 2023, Sodi made headlines after a cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal resulted in 15 deaths and over 50 hospitalizations.
-
His company had been awarded a R295 million tender to address the region’s water crisis, yet the project was left incomplete.
-
He was also implicated in the failed R255 million asbestos project in the Free State, which led to serious corruption allegations.
Despite these past controversies, Magalies Water has confirmed that Sodi has no involvement in the Klipvoor project.
Project Status and Safeguards Against Corruption
Magae clarified that the bulk water project is in its final stages of planning and construction, with no links to Sodi or his companies.
“At this stage, only two out of the seven work packages are in the construction phase, and both followed the stringent provisions of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA),” he explained.
The currently appointed construction companies working on these two packages have previously completed projects for Magalies Water, and no connections to Edwin Sodi have been found.
Ensuring Transparency in Procurement Processes
Magae further outlined that the remaining work packages are still in the early stages of project implementation. Magalies Water is currently engaging with national government departments on:
-
Funding arrangements
-
Technical project scoping
-
Cost estimations
“When the procurement processes commence, they will be competitive, fair, and transparent. Given the magnitude of this high-impact bulk water project, necessary checks-and-balances are in place to ensure that any tender award is free from bias or undue influence,” said Magae.
Importance of the Klipvoor Bulk Water Supply Scheme
The Klipvoor project is a critical infrastructure development designed to enhance water supply to several local municipalities, including:
-
Moretele
-
Bela-Bela
-
Modimolle-Mookgophong
-
Mogalakwena
With the project nearing completion of its initial phases, Magalies Water reassured residents that the water supply scheme remains on track, and misinformation about its management will not derail its progress.
Conclusion: Magalies Water Urges Public to Rely on Verified Information
Magalies Water emphasized that false allegations can undermine public confidence in vital infrastructure projects. The organization urged South Africans to seek verified information from official sources rather than relying on unverified social media claims.
By maintaining a transparent and accountable approach, Magalies Water aims to deliver much-needed water infrastructure to communities without any interference from unethical actors.