The Asset Forfeiture Unit on Friday seized the R30-million estate of Northern Cape African National Congress leader John Block, the National Prosecuting Authority said.
The estate included five houses, 18 cars, and several business interests in four business entities, spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga said.
This comes after acting Judge Jacky Hendricks granted the unit a restraint order in the province’s high court.
Block, businessman Gaston Savoi and seven others are accused of tender fraud estimated at R112-million. They allegedly bought water purification equipment for the Kimberley Hospital from Intaka Holdings — owned by Savoi — at inflated prices in 2005 and 2006.
Block and Savoi were released on R100 000 bail on Wednesday and the case was postponed to March 18, 2011 for further investigation.
The unit also seized property belonging to five of Block’s co-accused: Daniel Madyo, Daniel Gabarone, Hamed Shabir, Faima Shahzad and Sanjey Mitha.
They face charges ranging from corruption and fraud to money laundering. – Sapa