Ex-ANC leader John Block granted parole | News24

John Block on the witness stand on 9 November.

• Former ANC Northern Cape chairperson John Block was granted parole.
• The parole board considered the expert report regarding his readiness to reintegrate into society.
• Block served six years of his 15-year sentence for fraud and money laundering.

The parole board has granted parole to convicted fraudster, and former ANC Northern Cape chairperson John Block, after he served six years of a 15-year sentence. 

Block was sentenced in December 2016 for fraud and money laundering.

He was an inmate at the Upington Correctional Services facility.

On Friday, the Department of Correctional Services said the board considered Block’s “meritorious service,” including obtaining a Diploma in Business Management since his 15-year sentencing for corruption and money laundering in 2016. 

The department’s spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo, said the parole board granted parole in line with Section 73 of the Correctional Services Act.

He said it also considered reports on his conduct regarding his readiness for social integration.

Nxumalo added that Block, 55, was among the inmates who benefitted from the Special Remission of Sentences of 2019, 2020 and 2023, which brought forward his detention period to 13 September 2023.

“Mr Block will complete the remainder of the sentence in the community corrections system and will be subjected to supervision in compliance with parole conditions until his sentence expires on 26 June 2029,” said Nxumalo. 

The embattled former leader appeared in the Upington Magistrate’s Court in May for fraud charges relating to a separate R51-million tender fraud case. 

This matter related to a 2003 case in which he and co-accused, Patience Mokhali and Tshegolekae Motaung, allegedly awarded a R51-million tender to Babereki Consulting Engineers CC for a mental health hospital construction project, despite not meeting the requirements.

News24 previously reported that the NPA in the Northern Cape said Motaung was the company director and Mokhali, the head of the department.