JOHANNESBURG, December 6 (ANA) – Former Northern Cape African National Congress chairperson and finance MEC John Block was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the Kimberley High Court on Tuesday, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) said.
Hawks head Lieutenant General Ntlemeza welcomed the judgement against Block, 49, and his business associate.
“This shows that were are committed to work around the clock in fighting against the harm caused by corruption in our country. We hope that this will serve as a deterrent to all corrupt civil servant and that it is also indicative of the excellent relationship between the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority,” Ntlemeza said in a statement.
Block and 60-year-old Alfeus Christo Scholtz, CEO of Trifecta Group/Holdings, were found guilty of fraud and corruption in December 2015. The charges are related to their involvement in inflating prices on the lease agreement between them and the Northern Cape Social Development Department, Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said.
“They will both serve 15 years imprisonment and additionally, a forfeiture order of R2 million was made against John Block while R53 million confiscation was made against Scholtz and Trifecta,” Mulaudzi said.
– African News Agency (ANA)
