Warrant of arrest issued for John Block

A WARRANT of arrest has been issued for former ANC provincial chairperson John Block after he, along with his attorney, failed to appear in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court this week.

Block was supposed to appear on March 4 in connection with a R51 million tender that was awarded to Babereki Consulting Engineers CC by the Department of Transport, Roads and Public Works in 2003.

He, along with the former head of department (HOD) at the Northern Cape Department of Transport, Roads and Public Works, Patience Mercia Mokhali, and the director of Babereki Consulting Engineers CC, Tshegolekae Motaung, has been charged with fraud, corruption, money laundering, contravention of the Engineering Professions Act and contravention of the Public Finance Management Act. 

The hospital linked to the case took more than 14 years to complete and cost taxpayers over R2.1 billion.

Block previously informed the court that he was not in a position to pay for a "truckload of evidence", including sketches and plans of the health facility. 

The regional spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, Mojalefa Senokoatsane, said the accused was not in court.

"A junior attorney to represent him in absentia, was reported to be indisposed," added Senokoatsane. 

He noted that Block's bail was provisionally forfeited to the State and a warrant of arrest authorised but held over for 14 days.

"He is expected to re-appear in court on March 18 to explain his absence," said Senokoatsane.