Picture: The former Northern Cape MEC for Public Works, Roads and Transport, John Block/Google
By OBAKENG MAJE
The former Northern Cape MEC for Public Works, Road and Transport, John Block has been arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation Unit at the Correctional Services facility in Kimberley for fraud and corruption. The imprisoned Block is implicated in a corruption, fraud and money laundering case along with the former Head of Department of the Northern Cape Roads and Public Works, Roads and Transport, Patience Mercia Nokhwezi Mokhali.
It is alleged that the duo awarded a tender to build a mental hospital to Babereki Consulting Engineers (PTY) LTD, even though it did not meet the necessary requirements. The Director of a liquidated company, Babereki Consulting Engineers (PTY) LTD, Tshegolekae Motaung was also arrested for fraud and money laundering.
The Hawks spokesperson in Northern Cape, Nomthandazo Mnisi said, Block will briefly appear at Upington Magistrate’s Court today. Mnisi further said, in 2003, the Northern Cape Department of Health together with the Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport, allegedly embarked on a project to construct a new mental health hospital in Kimberley. She added that, the original contract was to an amount of R290 million.
“It is further alleged that, some of the constructed buildings faced possible demolition after R420 million was paid to a liquidated contractor on a project that was originally budgeted for R290 million. It was discovered that the company that was appointed did not have the capacity to render the service and the contract was terminated, whilst money was already paid.
“Work on the project has since been halted, leaving the facility incomplete and unusable, and at a considerable cost to the Department of Health. Officials did not follow the normal procurement procedures when appointing the consultant,” said Mnisi.
She said the project was marred with maladministration and there was no value for money.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Head of the Directorate, Major General Stephen Mabuela welcomed the arrest.
The Guardian 