Former ANC provincial chairperson John Block. File picture: Bongiwe Mchunu
THE FAMILY of former ANC provincial chairperson John Block have indicated that they have been left destitute since his imprisonment, where requests for support for his dependants have fallen on deaf ears.
Block started serving a 15-year prison sentence in 2018 after he was convicted on charges of corruption and money laundering in relation to leases that were concluded with the Trifecta group of companies for government offices in the Northern Cape between 2006 to 2008.
An Asset Forfeiture Unit order was made to seize R59.8 million of the companies’ assets.
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Family spokesperson Kenneth Khumalo said this week that Block had requested to be transferred to the Upington correctional facility so that he could be closer to his elderly parents.
“Contrary to the public claims of ANC provincial chairperson and premier, (Zamani) Saul only visited Block on two occasions back in 2019. He has not seen him since. During such visits, Block expressed the desire that Saul and the ANC leadership provide moral and material support for his family since his imprisonment denies him from being the primary provider to support his family,” said Khumalo.
He added that while Saul made several commitments during these visits, it remained nothing more than “empty promises”.
“The visit of Minister Lindiwe Sisulu in her capacity as a family member and Reverend Dr Allan Boesak was arranged and approved a few weeks ago.”
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Khumalo stated that Block was “profoundly disappointed and hurt” when the pre-arranged visit did not materialise.
“It saddened him more when the prayer by Reverend Boesak, a stalwart of the liberation struggle, was also summarily rejected. Block learnt through friends and family that the scheduled visit had been cancelled. No one had informed him of the reasons thereof.”
Khumalo added that Sisulu and Boesak were the first people to openly express their support and prayers to Block, his parents and family.
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“Their presence served as a source of inspiration for the family. Since his incarceration, none of the people he worked with in the government or the ANC visited the family. It is also a matter of record that his wife and children were never visited to ascertain their well-being.
“Also, we can confirm that no moral or material support to his entire family was ever availed from those earlier mentioned. On the contrary, those of the Block family who are fortunate to be employed appear side-lined regardless of their respective length of service and requisite qualifications. This form of vindictiveness pains us as a family.”
Khumalo pointed out that claims made by Saul during an interview on the JJ Tabane show earlier this month were “devoid of the truth and hurtful towards the family”.
“We categorically refute Saul's public statements and humbly request him to desist from making further false claims about our son. We also ask the ANC chairperson and premier not to abuse our son's name in politicising the visits of Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and Dr Boesak.
“The family remains disturbed that Premier Saul could accuse the visitors of our son of spreading lies on their denied visit. Our son taught us always to care and be truthful to people, friends and comrades at all times.”
He added that Block was regarded as a “model prisoner”.
“He empowers and assists fellow inmates, including at-risk youth. Block has always regarded the unity of the ANC as being more significant than himself and sacrosanct. The experienced lack of care, disrespect for shared humanity and untruthfulness define our son's betrayal by the same pedlars of lies and untruths.
“The ANC in the Northern Cape is aware of the real reasons for the imprisonment of our son, they know the truth.”
Khumalo stated that Block had graduated after completing his degree last year. He was, however, not able to confirm what degree he had studied for.
Meanwhile, human right activist and pastor Olebogeng Leserwane has offered his support for Block, whom he believed was serving a sentence on “politically trumped-up charges”.
“Block was the most powerful politician in the Province who could easily relate or identify and associate with the masses of our people,” said Leserwane.
He branded Saul a “pathological liar” for claiming “fictitious and frivolous love and support” for Block”.
“He only paid him an accidental visit in 2019 when he happened to be in the area.”
Leserwane added that Block’s family was suffering financially while he was incarcerated.
“His children were denied opportunities at university due to an inability to pay the fees. These people made it their duty to ensure that Block’s family is disoriented and destroyed, but through God’s grace they will not succeed in their evil plans to destroy him.”
He stated further that it was “shocking” that Block was denied parole last year.
“He is being placed in the same category as criminals who were sentenced for rape and murder.”
Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul stated that he had already expressed himself on the matter and would not offer any further statements.