Jailed former ANC provincial leader John Block, who has been implicated in a R51 million tender fraud case, has told the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court that he will be applying for legal aid.
JAILED former ANC provincial leader John Block, who has been linked to a R51 million tender fraud case, has told the court he will be applying for legal aid.
Block, 55, who was also the former MEC for Transport, Roads and Public Works in the Northern Cape, made a brief appearance in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court alongside his co-accused – the former HOD of his former department, Patience Mercia Motaung, 59, and the director of Babereki Consulting Engineers CC, Tshegolekae Motaung, 59.
They are facing several charges in connection with the R51 million tender that was awarded for the construction of the Kimberley Mental Health Hospital, including fraud, money laundering, corruption and contravention of the Engineering Professions Act.
Block is currently serving a 15-year prison sentence after he was found guilty on charges of corruption, money laundering and fraud in 2015.
After many unsuccessful court appeals, he started serving his prison sentence in 2018.
Block is currently incarcerated at the Upington Correctional Services centre.
In August, Block was granted R50,000 bail in the Kimberley mental hospital matter, however, he remains in custody due to his previous conviction.
The provincial spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Mojalefa Senokoatsane, said it is alleged that in 2003, Babereki Consulting Engineers CC was fraudulently awarded a tender as a structural and civil engineer, as well as project manager within the mental health hospital construction project.
“The accused [Block], as the political head, and the former HOD Patience Mercia Mokhali, appointed Babereki Consulting Engineers CC, whose director is Tshegolekae Motaung, even though the company did not meet the requirements. The actual amount involved is approximately R51 million,” Senokoatsane said.
During their appearance on Monday, Block, who is accused number two in the matter, indicated to the court that he would be applying for legal aid representation.
Mokhali and Motaung informed the court that they will be represented by a new legal firm going forward.
The matter was postponed until February 8 to afford Block time to apply for legal aid.
