ANC shocked by Block’s 15-year sentence

Patsy Beangstrom

WHILE the ANC in the Northern Cape has expressed its shock at the 15-year sentence handed down to the party’s former provincial chairman, John Block, other political parties and the Hawks welcomed the court’s decision.

ANC provincial secretary Zamani Saul said yesterday that the party was “shocked by the outcome”.

“We, however, accept it and we are of the view that he (Block) has every right to appeal the case. The ANC is fully behind the appeal and we would also like to reaffirm our support for Comrade John,” Saul said.

The national head of the Hawks, Lieutenant-General Berning Ntlemeza, meanwhile, welcomed the judgment handed down by the Northern Cape High Court in Kimberley to Block, 49, the former finance, tourism and economic affairs MEC, and his business associate, Christo Scholtz, 60, the chief executive of Trifecta Group Holdings.

The two were found guilty of fraud and corruption in 2015. The charges are related to their involvement in inflating prices in the lease agreement between them and the Northern Cape Social Development Department. They will both serve 15 years in prison and a forfeiture order of R2 million was made against Block, while a R53 million confiscation of assets order was made against Scholtz and Trifecta.

Ntlemeza yesterday applauded the Hawks members involved in the case, who, he said, “had worked diligently during the lengthy investigation and ensured that corrupt officials were held liable for their actions and faced the full might of the law”.

“This shows that we are committed to fighting the harm caused by corruption in our country. We hope that this will serve as a deterrent to all corrupt civil servants and that it is also indicative of the excellent relationship between the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority.”

The DA in the Northern Cape also welcomed the sentence. “Block’s application to appeal his sentence will just delay the inevitable – he has been found guilty and must serve the time,” said DA provincial leader Andrew Louw said.