John Block faces money laundering charges

Northern Cape ANC chairperson and Finance MEC John Block, Social Development MEC Alvin Botes and MP Yolanda Botha are appearing in the Kimberley Magistrates’ Court today.

Block, Botes and Botha are Provincial Executive Committee members of the ANC in the Northern Cape.

Block and Botes face charges of alleged corruption and money laundering.

Both is accused of corruption and fraud.

The case relates to the alleged deviation from tender procedures in leasing buildings in Springbok, Kuruman, Douglas and Kimberley.

On October 26, the Northern Cape High Court granted an order to attach Botha’s assets in connection with the same case.

The order was granted against Botha’s house in Kimberley and her 10% shares in a construction company, Trifecta Investment Holdings. The assets are valued at approximately R24 million.

The National Prosecution Authority argued in its application that Botha had disregarded tender procedures by signing lease agreements that benefited Trifecta, and in return, Trifecta made renovations, estimated at R1.2 million, to her house.

The Joint Ethics and Interest Committee in Parliament found in August 2011, that there was an improper and generally corrupt relationship between Botha and Trifecta in relation to the lease agreements, renovations and shares.

Said Hawsks spokesperson Captain Paul Ramaloko: “Two MECs, three officials from the SA Social Service Agency and two other people were busted by the Hawks this morning.

“They were arrested on charges of fraud, corruption and money-laundering involving millions of rands, at their respective places of residence around Kimberley.”

Ramaloko said the arrest were related to alleged events between May 2005 to December 2009.

» This story was updated after first published.

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