Edwin Sodi’s attempted murder case struck off the court roll

The attempted murder case against controversial businessman Edwin Sodi has been struck off the court roll, following an unexpected turn of events at the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

Sodi, a well-known entrepreneur with links to several high-profile corruption cases, had been facing serious allegations related to a violent domestic incident in 2022. However, the case collapsed due to the absence of the complainants in court.

A No-Show by the Complainants

The trial was expected to commence on Thursday morning, but the two alleged victims—Sodi’s estranged wife, Ntateng Lerata, and her friend—did not appear in court.

This prompted Magistrate Hleziphi Mkhasibe to make the unexpected ruling to strike the case off the roll, despite strong opposition from the State’s legal team.

Background of the Case

The case dates back to 2022, when Sodi was accused of attempting to shoot his estranged wife and her friend at the couple’s Bryanston home.

According to reports, the businessman allegedly pointed a firearm at them during a heated altercation.

Following his arrest, Sodi was granted bail of R150,000, but the case continued to raise concerns over gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa.

State’s Opposition to the Case Being Dismissed

Despite the complainants’ absence, Prosecutor Dinesh Nandikisoor argued that the case was too serious to be withdrawn, especially given South Africa’s ongoing battle against gender-based violence.

In court, Nandikisoor read a letter from the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), which made it clear that the State wanted the trial to proceed:

“The circumstances and merits of this case are too serious to warrant a withdrawal of the charges by the NPA, irrespective of the settlement agreement.”

This statement suggested that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) was unwilling to drop the charges, despite the complainants reaching a settlement with Sodi.

The Settlement Agreement and Court Ruling

It was revealed that the complainants had signed withdrawal agreements, which were submitted to the court.

Magistrate Mkhasibe acknowledged the seriousness of GBV cases in the country but stated that if the complainants had voluntarily withdrawn their charges without coercion or threats, the court could not justify keeping the matter on the roll.

“While I share their sentiments that GBV is on the rise, however, if we are faced with such a case where a complainant voluntarily withdraws a case, there are no threats against her, I do not think it would be fair to keep the matter on the roll under these circumstances.”

With that, the case was struck off the court roll, bringing the attempted murder trial to an abrupt end.

Public Reaction and Legal Debate

The decision to drop the case has sparked public debate, with some expressing concern over the justice system’s handling of GBV cases.

Activists and legal experts have pointed out that settlement agreements should not automatically lead to case dismissals, especially when serious allegations of violence are involved.

Some argued that the State should have pursued the case regardless of the complainants’ withdrawal, as GBV cases often involve intimidation, pressure, or fear that can prevent victims from testifying.

However, others defended the court’s ruling, stating that if the complainants no longer wished to proceed, the case could not be forced forward without sufficient evidence and testimony.

What’s Next for Edwin Sodi?

While Sodi is now free from the attempted murder case, he still faces other legal battles, including his corruption case in the Free State High Court.

In that case, he is accused of being part of a multimillion-rand fraud scheme alongside former ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule.

His legal troubles are far from over, and the businessman remains a controversial figure in South African politics and business.

Final Thoughts

The Randburg Magistrates’ Court’s decision to strike Edwin Sodi’s case off the roll raises important questions about:

The role of settlements in serious criminal cases
The State’s responsibility in prosecuting GBV cases
The challenges victims face in seeking justice

While Sodi walks free, the case has left many unanswered questions about how South Africa handles high-profile gender-based violence allegations.

What are your thoughts? Should the case have continued despite the withdrawal agreements? Let us know in the comments!