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Court hearing
The Kimberley Magistrate’s Court has postponed the case of nine suspects linked to a R51-million tender awarded during the construction of the Northern Cape mental hospital.
Legal representatives of former MEC of Transport, Roads and Public Works, John Block, his former HOD, Patience Mokhali, and businessman, Tshegolekae Motaung, who were arrested in May 2023, submitted an application for the court to investigate the delays in the case.
In May six more people were arrested and added to the case.
The defense has submitted an application to have the case that started in May 2023 withdrawn.
They say the matter is moving at a snail’s pace and is constantly being postponed.
In June, the postponement was caused by one accused failing to appear in court due to ill health.
Today the state requested time to review the application by the defense to have the matter struck off the roll, which they claim was submitted late.
The matter will be back in court at the end of the month.
All accused persons are out on bail.