Controversial businessman Edwin Sodi speaks out after court strikes GBV case off the roll

Businessman Edwin Sodi made a brief court appearance at the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, marking the unexpected conclusion of a legal battle that has stretched over three years.

The case, which dates back to 2022, involved charges of assault, attempted murder, and pointing a firearm. However, after a long and drawn-out legal process, the court officially struck the matter off the roll.

Charges Stemmed from a Domestic Dispute

Sodi’s legal troubles originated from an altercation at his Bryanston home, which he had previously shared with his estranged wife, Nthateng Lerata. The incident led to criminal charges, but the case took an unexpected turn when key witnesses refused to proceed.

During the court proceedings, the state revealed that Lerata had submitted a formal statement indicating her decision to withdraw from the matter.

Adding to the complexity, Faial Motlekar, another key party involved in the case, was also absent from court and had signaled no intention to proceed with the matter.

With neither of the primary witnesses willing to move forward, Sodi’s legal team requested that the case be withdrawn.

Court Confirms Withdrawal and Out-of-Court Settlement

After reviewing the situation, the court confirmed that Motlekar would not be pursuing the case and acknowledged that Sodi and Lerata had reached an out-of-court settlement.

With no further legal basis to continue, the charges were formally dismissed, effectively ending the trial.

Edwin Sodi Reacts to the Verdict

Speaking to the media outside the courtroom, Sodi expressed relief, saying he was grateful that the legal ordeal had finally come to an end.

“I am glad it is over. There is no longer any relationship between me and Lerata. I have been coming to court for three years—22 or 23 times—imagine how costly that has been. This was a case that should never have reached this point,” he stated.

Sodi emphasized the financial and emotional toll the case had taken on him, noting that the drawn-out legal process had been both frustrating and expensive.

Sodi Calls the Case a Waste of Time

Beyond relief, Sodi also voiced his frustration over how long it had taken for the court to reach a final decision.

“I have serious matters to focus on. I have businesses to run—minus one problem. Now, we deal with the rest. These were nonsense allegations, and it took too long for the court to reach the right decision. I believe the magistrate made the correct ruling, even though the state wanted to continue.”

Sodi maintained that the case should never have gone this far, criticizing the legal delays and the impact they had on his personal and professional life.

What’s Next for Edwin Sodi?

With this case behind him, Sodi is now shifting his focus back to business. He has been at the center of several high-profile legal and financial matters, but he insists that he is ready to move forward.

As a businessman, Sodi has built a reputation in the construction and property industries, but his name has also been linked to corruption allegations and government contracts.

While this particular case has ended in his favor, it remains to be seen whether Sodi will face further legal battles in the future.

For now, though, he is celebrating the end of this chapter and focusing on what lies ahead.