Kimberley – Jailed former Northern Cape Transport MEC John Fikile Block on Monday made a brief appearance in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court facing fraud charges involving a R51 million tender to build a mental hospital.
The 55-year-old former MEC of Transport, Roads, and Public Works appeared alongside his co-accused, the ex-HOD of the department, 60-year-old Patience Mercia Mokhali, and 59-year-old Company Director Tshegolekae Motaung.
The company Babereki Consulting Engineers CC is also a co-accused in the fraud matter.
It is alleged that in 2003, Babereki Consulting Engineers CC was fraudulently awarded a tender as a structural, and civil engineer, as well as a project manager within the mental health hospital construction project.
The former head of the department Mokhali, allegedly appointed Babereki Consulting Engineers CC, whose director was Motaung, even though the company did not meet the requirements.
Block indicated to the court that he will be applying for Legal Aid representation.
Mokhali, and Motaung, also informed the court that they will be represented by a new legal firm.
The matter was remanded to 8 February 2024, to enable Block, who is committed in custody at the Upington Correctional Centre, to apply for Legal Aid.
The former Northern Cape African National Congress chairman, who was found guilty of corruption in 2015, is serving a 15-year prison sentence.
