In a dramatic turn of events, the Hawks, South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, have re-arrested the imprisoned former African National Congress (ANC) Northern Cape chair, John Block.
Why did the Hawks re-arrest John Block?
As reported by SABC News, the arrest took place on Tuesday morning at the Upington Correctional Services facility, where Block is currently serving his 15-year jail term.
He was initially sentenced in 2018 for his involvement in corruption-related lease agreements with various government departments facilitated by the Trifecta group.
Block is now set to face additional charges related to alleged corruption during the construction of the Kimberley Mental Health Hospital.
According to Hawks provincial spokesperson Nomthandazo Mnisi, the former MEC is accused of fraudulently awarding a tender to a company in 2003 for structure, civil engineering, and project management services, despite knowing that the company did not meet the necessary requirements.
Last week, two other individuals, the former Head of the Department of Roads and Public Works, Patience Mokhali, and the Director of Babereki Consulting Engineers, Tshegolekae Motaung, were arrested alongside Block.
They were subsequently released on bail and are scheduled to appear in court again in July 2023.
The charges faced by Block and his co-accused include fraud, corruption, money laundering, and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
Who is John Block?
John Fikile Block, born on February 10, 1968, has had a prominent political career in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa.
He served as the Provincial Chairman of the African National Congress (ANC) in the Northern Cape and held various positions within the provincial government.
Block’s involvement in politics dates back to his role as Chairman of the ANC Youth League, Upington Branch, from 1991 to 1992. He then became a Member of the Provincial Legislature in the Northern Cape in 1994.
In 1999, he was appointed as the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Transport, Roads, and Public Works. He served in this capacity until 2004 when he assumed the role of MEC for Finance, Economic Development, and Tourism.
However, Block’s political career took a significant downturn when, on October 14, 2015, he was found guilty of fraud, corruption, and money laundering by the Northern Cape High Court.
The charges stemmed from his association with Christo Scholtz, the CEO of Trifecta Holdings, a property company. Block was found to have facilitated inflated lease agreements between Trifecta Holdings and the Northern Cape Provincial Government, receiving kickbacks in return.
As a result, Block resigned as the Northern Cape ANC Chairman and MEC on October 16, 2015.
In March 2017, Block was granted leave to appeal his conviction but not the sentence. His successor as ANC Provincial Chairperson was Zamani Saul.
Reactions to Block’s re-arrest
Despite his conviction, Block’s legal issues continued with the recent re-arrest by the Hawks in connection with alleged corruption during the construction of the Kimberley Mental Health Hospital.
Here’s how social media reacted to Block’s re-arrest: