Edwin Sodi and Karen Zulu. Image via Instagram @mustb_k
WATCH: Inside Edwin Sodi’s lover Karen Zulu’s extravagant European trip
Karen Zulu and her friend — who is reportedly dating the Gauteng MEC for Human Settlements — had the time of their lives in Paris and Monaco.
Edwin Sodi and Karen Zulu. Image via Instagram @mustb_k
Helicopter rides, shopping sprees, wining, dining and five-star hotels — this is the life of Karen Zulu, the partner of controversial businessman Edwin Sodi.
FROM PARIS, WITH LOVE
Earlier this month, Zulu – who is a social media influencer – jetted off to France in Europe. According to entertainment commentator Sanele Nkosi, Zulu went on holiday with her friend, Anelisa Ntlakana, who is allegedly the partner of Gauteng’s MEC for Human Settlements, Urban Planning and Infrastructure Development — Lebohang Maile.
On her TikTok account, Zulu shared snippets of her European trip with her friend, giving her followers a glimpse into their opulent lifestyles.
In one video, the two ladies can be seen strutting their stuff as they board a helicopter by Monacair (a helicopter company based at the Monaco Heliport in Monaco, France). In another, Zulu is seen drinking wine and “toasting to the good life” from across an illuminated Eiffel Tower.
DID KAREN ZULU AND EDWIN SODI BREAK UP?
In February this year, Sunday World reported that Zulu and Sodi were not seeing eye-to-eye amid investigations on the entrepreneur’s businesses and the auctioning of his assets.
According to a source, the 50-year-old Blackhead Consulting boss had urged Zulu not to flaunt her lavish lifestyle on social media, but she allegedly did not listen.
The source further alleged that Sodi took back the gifts he had bought for Zulu, including the designer bags she often shows off on Instagram.
In addition, Zulu (whose Instagram account is private) deleted all the images she posted of her and Sodi or inside his house. These include photographs of Sodi’s lavish 50th birthday party, which was hosted at his Morningside mansion in September 2023.
90 VEHICLES TO BE SEIZED?
In the same month, it was reported that the corruption-accused businessman is at risk of losing over 90 vehicles following a court order by a giant insurance company, Hollard.
As per the court papers, Hollard acted as a guarantor for Sodi’s company, NJR Projects, to receive millions from the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA). The bank is reported to have given the company over R39 million as an advance payment.
This came after NJR was awarded a R282 million tender by the Department of Public Works to upgrade and build accommodation for a correctional centre in Parys, Free State. The project was reportedly supposed to have been completed by 20 February 2022. However, the contract was allegedly terminated because the company failed to “achieve practical completion” of the project on time.
Following NJR’s alleged failure to repay the loan, Hollard sought an order for the sheriff to seize the company’s movable assets. These include five Bell TLBs, a BMW X3, two Chevrolet Utility vehicles, a Ford Fiesta, 41 Ford Rangers and 10 Hino trucks. In addition, there are 15 Mazda CX3s, 4 Mercedes-Benz vehicles, 6 Nissan NP200s, three tankers, three Toyota bakkies and eight VW vehicles.
