Block assures party is unified
Party is unified … Northern Cape ANC chairperson John Block gave a message of unity after his court appearance.
Provincial ANC chairperson John Block has assured ANC supporters in Kimberley that the party in the province is unified and rubbished claims of factionalism.
He was addressing the crowd that gathered outside the Kimberley High Court where he and his co-accused appeared on charges of fraud yesterday.
Block and his co-accused appeared amidst tight security in two separate courtrooms.
Block, former Sol Plaatje mayor Patrick Lenyibi, municipal manager Frank Mashilo and chief financial officer Nandipha Madiba face charges of fraud, corruption and contravening the Municipal Finance Management Act.
Facing the same charges are Intaka Holdings director Gaston Savoi and the company’s industrial director, Fernando Praderi.
The charges relate to the acquisition of a portable water-purification unit by the Sol Plaatje municipality for Ritchie, an area near Kimberley, in April last year.
It was alleged that Intaka was paid more than R2.7-million before the plant was installed or commissioned.
Their case was postponed to 16 April 2013 as Madiba had made a submission to turn state witness, but the National Prosecuting Authority had not yet responded to her plea bargain.
The bail of all accused, of between R2000 and R15000, was also extended to 2013.
Court proceedings were delayed for most of Thursday morning as Block and Savoi first had to appear in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court in a separate matter.
In that case, Block, Savoi and several others face tender, fraud and racketeering charges involving R112-million.
The allegations relate to government departments purchasing water-purification equipment at inflated prices in 2005 and 2006.
The magistrate’s court postponed this matter to January 31 next year.
Meanwhile, one of the co-accused, Ansano Romani, has turned stated witness after pleading guilty to misleading the provincial Department of Health in acquiring the water purification equipment.
He also appeared in the Kimberley Magistrate’s Court yesterday after several postponements. His case was postponed to January 31. This is because the NPA has allegedly not yet signed a certificate that will see the case appear before the Kimberley High Court.
Speaking outside the court, where a group of ANC Youth League members had gathered to support the chairperson, Block said any member going through difficulty needed and deserved the support of the organisation and its members.
Block added that people need to defend the movement and not individuals.
He also said it was false that there are factions within the party as the PEC is united and has a good working relationship with the Woman’s League and Youth League.
“The PEC has a key mandate of uniting and strengthening the organisation.”
Provincial ANCYL chairperson Shadrack Tlhaole, who was also in the crowd, voiced the league’s undivided support for Block as they have done at his past court appearances.
“We are supporting John Block throughout because we are supporting the chairperson of the ANC. In defending him, we are defending the legacy of the organisation.”
Tlhaole said an attack on Block is an attack on the ANC.
“The ANC cannot continue to be in court due to people with issues with the party’s resolutions.”
Tlhaole called on the NPA and the Hawks to stop adding charges against Block.
The ANC Frances Baard regional chairperson, Phuthumo Mguza, echoed Tlhaole’s sentiments.
“…they are looking but there is nothing to be found. Next year will come and still there will be nothing fruitful they find and then the case will be closed.”
Northern Cape Premier Hazel Jenkins also attended court proceedings along with several ANC MECs.
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