Block, who was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for corruption, briefly appear before the Upington Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday morning and the case has been postponed to 11 July and transferred to the Kimberley Magistrate's Court. 

The South African Police Services' Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks, made the arrest earlier on Tuesday. 

The Hawks’ Nomthandazo Mnisi said it is alleged that in 2003, Babereki Consulting Engineers CC was fraudulently awarded a tender as a structural civil engineer, as well as the project manager, of the mental health hospital's construction project.

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The awarding of the tender was made during Block’s tenure as a political head and the former HOD Patience Mercia Mokhali appointed the company in question, whose director is Tshegolekae Motaung. However, the company did not meet the necessary requirements. Mnisi explained that the amount involved is approximately R51 million. “The Acting Provincial Head of the Hawks in the Northern Cape, Brigadier Prince Mashimbye welcomes the arrest. Criminality will be pursued irrespective of the duration in which it happened in order for justice to prevail,” she concluded.

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Block’s criminal activities started making headlines in 2016 when he and Christo Scholtz were convicted of corruption and money laundering by the Kimberley High Court. Scholtz happened to be the director of Trifecta Holdings which was used in multimillion-rand property tenders. The Northern Cape government departments awarded the tenders in question over a two-year period starting in 2006. However, the Supreme Court of Appeal dismissed the money laundering charge. 

The Assets Forfeiture Unit was granted a confiscation order of more than R6 million in respect of the profit Trifecta acquired from six lease agreements it got corruptly. It was also granted a confiscation order of more than R53 million regarding an added advantage gained as there were no competitive tender procedures followed when the leases were awarded. The NPA has confirmed that the R59.8 million will be returned to National Treasury.

ALSO READ: Trifecta summoned to NC court

In 2020, Trifecta Holdings was once again summoned to appear before the Kimberley Magistrate's Court. It was alleged that the company paid a Senior Practitioner in Facility Management and Auxiliary Support at the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) an amount of R60 000 in the form of gratification. It is alleged that all these took place between the years 2009 and 2010.

In the latest, the former Minister of Tourism, Lindiwe Sisulu revealed that she learned with shock that the prison did not allow her or others to see Block, who she described as a relative. However, the department has responded to set the record straight regarding the claims made by Sisulu. It said it is essential to highlight that no public member can ever be denied an opportunity to visit an inmate in line with the prescribed procedures outlined in the Correctional Services Act.

The department spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo, said there is nothing in law prohibiting ministers from visiting inmates; however, it has to be stated that the same procedures meant for members of the public apply equally to the executive and individuals who may want to provide spiritual support.

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