The African National Congress is aiming to return disgraced Northern Cape provincial chairperson John Block to the provincial legislature — despite the fact that police are investigating him for fraud and corruption.
The ANC provincial executive recently decided to rehabilitate Block.
Northern Cape police confirmed to the Mail & Guardian that they had completed their investigations into the disgraced former provincial transport and public works minister, and had referred the matter to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions. A spokesperson said the investigation revolved around Block being suspected of fraud and corruption regarding ”a land matter”.
This appears to be a reference to a farm Block was allegedly given by the provincial government once he became unemployed after resigning as provincial minister and ANC chairperson in 2003.
Before last year’s elections, Block was a runaway candidate to succeed Manne Dipico as Northern Cape premier. He blew his chances when he admitted to using public funds to pay for air tickets, accommodation and a hired Mercedes Benz for the North Sea jazz festival. He later asked for forgiveness.
Northern Cape provincial secretary Neville Mompati confirmed that the ANC provincial executive has decided to facilitate the return of Block into the legislature, saying he would add value. Mompati said Block had been cleared by the auditor-general. The ANC was aware that a criminal complaint had been laid against Block, but did not know what had happened to it.
Asked who would be removed from the legislature to make way for Block, Mompati said: ”We will look at the deployment strategies and the strengths of the ANC to determine who is best suited to add value.”
Whether Block was re-appointed as a provincial minister would depend on Premier Dipuo Peters and Block’s performance in the legislature.
Democratic Alliance spokesperson in the Northern Cape Chris Liebenberg said he was ”gatvol” with police dragging their feet on the Block inquiry. ”All the information and documents have been passed on to the police. What more proof do they need?” asked Liebenberg.
Tripartite alliance members say Peters is under tremendous pressure to accept Block back into the fold. Block retook his position as provincial party chairperson at the Northern Cape ANC congress at the end of last year after Peters had acted in the position during his absence.
Another allegation against Block was that he irregularly awarded a contract for a toll road and parliamentary village, during his ministerial tenure, to a Johannesburg-based businessman. Neither of the projects was completed.