John Block arrested over Kimberley mental hospital fraud

FORMER ANC provincial chairperson John Block was arrested by the Hawks on Tuesday in connection with the multimillion-rand fraud and corruption case involving the Kimberley mental hospital and is expected to make a brief appearance in the Upington Magistrate’s Court.

Block was due to have a parole hearing this week. He is currently serving a 15-year sentence at the Upington Correctional Services Centre after being convicted of corruption and money laundering in connection with long-term leases that were secured by the Trifecta group of companies for government offices.

Hawks provincial chairperson Nomthandazo Mnisi said Block was arrested on Tuesday morning by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team and was charged with fraud.

Block was the former MEC for Transport, Roads and Public Works at the time of the alleged offence.

“It is alleged that in 2003, Babereki Consulting Engineers CC was fraudulently awarded a tender as a structural civil engineer as well as project manager within the mental health hospital construction project,” said Mnisi.

“During his tenure as a political head, the accused and the former HOD, Patience Mercia Mokhali, appointed Babereki Consulting Engineers CC - whose director is Tshegolekae Motaung - though the company did not meet the necessary requirements.

“The actual amount involved is approximately R51 million.”

Mokhali and Motaung appeared in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court last week in connection with the charges.

The acting provincial head of the Hawks in the Northern Cape, Brigadier Prince Mashimbye, welcomed the arrest.

“Criminality will be pursued irrespective of the duration in which it happened in order for justice to prevail.”