Northern Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul has rubbished allegations made by Dr Allan Boesak that Saul and President Cyril Ramaphosa had instructed that Boesak be denied access to visit former provincial ANC chairperson John Block in prison in Upington.
NORTHERN Cape Premier Dr Zamani Saul has rubbished allegations made by Dr Allan Boesak that Saul and President Cyril Ramaphosa had instructed that Boesak be denied access to visit former provincial ANC chairperson John Block in prison.
Block is currently serving a 15-year sentence at the Correctional Services facility in Upington after he was found guilty on charges of corruption and money laundering.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Saul labelled Boesak’s remarks as “desperate lies”.
“The Premier of the Northern Cape, Dr Zamani Saul, has noted with grave concern the unfounded allegations and desperate lies made by Dr Allan Boesak during his visit to the former chairperson of the ANC, comrade John Block,” a statement from the Office of the Premier reads.
“The Premier has visited comrade John Block on several occasions and never made that a political issue. It is a blatant lie by Dr Boesak that there was a request by the Premier and the President, Cyril Ramaphosa, to visit comrade John Block that he rejected.
“Block is serving his time with humility and utmost dignity and should not be dragged into political games that stem from political desperation and opportunism that lead comrades to irrational behaviour and fabrication of lies.”
Several reports stated this week that Boesak and Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu were recently denied access to visit Block.
It was further reported that Sisulu indicated that she wanted to visit Block as they are related and she blamed the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) of abusing the prisoner’s rights.
DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo sated that Sisulu’s remarks were unfounded.
“It is important to highlight that no member of the public can ever be denied an opportunity to visit an inmate, in line with the prescribed procedures as outlined in the Correctional Service Act. The 243 correctional centres across the country allow the public to make bookings to visit both remand detainees and sentenced inmates, with dates and times allocated for such visits. There is nothing in law prohibiting ministers from visiting inmates,” said Nxumalo.
“However, it has to be stated that the same procedures meant for members of the public apply equally to the executive and individuals who may want to provide spiritual support. The Correctional Services Act calls for inmates to be treated equally and it will be unfortunate if some are to be treated differently due to their proximity in whatever capacity to certain leaders and prominent people in society. Correctional Services is a security department, hence the need to implement and follow procedures as prescribed.”
Nxumalo said Sisulu’s claim that Block was on the list of parolees to be released but his name later replaced with that of a rapist were also untrue.
“The department did explain in detail how inmates were being considered for the Covid-19 Parole Dispensation and the Special Remission of Sentences. There were enquiries on inmate John Block being on the list of those who were granted parole and it was clarified that he was never on the list as he did not meet the stipulated criteria.
“It is also critical to highlight that under the Covid-19 Parole Dispensation and the Special Remission of Sentences, certain categories of inmates who committed crimes, including murder, sexual assault, child abuse, high treason, sabotage and terrorism, were excluded. Therefore, utterances insinuating that a rapist was released on parole under the Covid-19 Parole Dispensation are wholly unfounded and unfortunate.
“We remain committed to enforce the Correctional Services Act without any fear or favour. We will treat all visitors and inmates equally without any undue influence,” Nxumalo concluded.
