Jailed John Block granted R50k bail in tender fraud case

• John Block was granted bail in a tender fraud case.
• Block is currently serving 15 years in prison for corruption and money laundering.
• The State didn't oppose his latest bail application.

Incarcerated former ANC Northern Cape leader John Block was granted R50 000 bail in a R51-million tender fraud case.

The State did not oppose his bail application, despite Block being in jail.

The former ANC provincial chairperson was granted bail in the Kimberley District Court on Tuesday.

The matter relates to a 2003 case, where Babereki Consulting Engineers CC was fraudulently awarded a tender for a mental health hospital construction project. 

READ | Jailed ex-Northern Cape ANC chair John Block faces R51m tender fraud charges

The spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, Mojalefa Senokoatsane, said Block, as the then political head, together with the former head of the department, Patience Mercia Mokhali, appointed Babereki, whose director was Tshegolekae Motaung, even though the company did not meet the requirements. 

Senokoatsane said: 

Block is an inmate at the Upington Correctional Services, serving a 15-year sentence for corruption.

Senokoatsane said Block would attend his next appearance virtually from prison on 10 August.

"He is accused number two in the matter. He will virtually join his co-accused, Mokhali and Motaung, in the Kimberley District Court," said Senokoatsane.

The Noordkaap Bulletin reported that Block was pushing to be released on parole because he apparently qualified for a presidential pardon.

Block reportedly was a well-behaved inmate, who tutored his peers in prison and assisted in the donation of soccer kits and equipment for inmates.

He claimed he had served the minimum required time for parole eligibility.