African National Congress (ANC) Northern Cape leader John Block was granted bail of R100 000 in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
Magistrate Lance Roach said Block was free to go after paying the bail money. His co-accused, businessman Gaston Savoi, was also granted bail of R100 000.
Those in the court’s public gallery started singing in celebration after the ruling was made, while supporters cheered outside the court.
Their bail conditions included that the pair would not change their physical residential addresses without the permission of investigators and the National Prosecuting Authority.
They were not allowed to contact state witnesses directly or indirectly and both men had to attend court proceedings until the matter was finalised.
If they failed to appear in court, they would be arrested immediately, Roach warned.
Block, Savoi and seven others are charged with tender fraud estimated at R112-million.
The allegations against them relate to the purchase of water-purification equipment from Intaka at inflated prices in 2005 and 2006.
The case was postponed to March 18 2011 for further investigation. — Sapa