John Block, co-accused due in court

2012-02-02 08:02

Bloemfontein - Political rivals will be at the Northern Cape High Court in Kimberley in their numbers on Thursday for the appearance of Northern Cape ANC chairperson John Block on fraud charges.

Block, Gaston Savoi, Fernando Praderi, Patrick Lenyibi, Frank Mashilo and Nandipha Madiba are charged with fraud, corruption and contravening the Municipal Finance Management Act.

The charges relate to alleged irregularities in the acquisition of a water purification plant by the Sol Plaatje municipality in April 2011.

All six have been granted bail of between R2 000 and R15 000.

'Political conspiracy'

Northern Cape ANC Youth League chairperson Shadrack Tlhaole has described the case as a political conspiracy to destroy the integrity of the Northern Cape ANC leader.

He claimed that state machinery was being used by those in power to settle political scores in the matter.

Its members would attend the court in their numbers in support of Block, he said.

DA leader Andrew Louw said his party would keep pushing for the removal of Block from the provincial government.

"We will be there for sure," said Congress of the People Francis Baard region secretary Rosie Ludick.

People were looking for service delivery, not the abuse of taxpayers' money, she said.

The six men allegedly colluded with municipal employees to award a tender to Intaka Holdings for a water purification plant.

- SAPA