Block leads fraud seminar - what a joke!

How ironic that MEC of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, John Block, is said to be leading a one-day fraud awareness seminar in Kimberley today.

Block himself has been accused of a crime that relates directly to defrauding the state of millions of rands. This is a very serious charge indeed and if proven true, it means that the he lined his own pockets at the expense of service delivery.

Block further has a long, dark history when it comes to dubious dealings. In fact, we already know that a court found Block's salt mining company to be in possession of a fraudulent mining license; that he laid claim to a state game farm, worth millions of rands, which was actually intended for use by young emerging farmers; and that he is alleged to be involved in the TRIFECTA scandal.

Given the very senior and influential leadership position that he currently fills, it makes the charges against him that much more serious. He is meant to be a custodian of the people's money, not the thief thereof.  

It is the DA's view that as long as we remain uncertain with regards to Block's involvement in corruption, he unfortunately cannot be trusted. We thus find it odd that he is leading the fraud awareness workshop.  We can only surmise that it is due to his firsthand knowledge of the topic at hand.

Statement issued by Andrew Louw, MPL, DA Northern Cape: DA Provincial Leader, November 12 2012

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