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Former Northern Cape ANC chairperson John Block has been freed on parole effectively from Friday, November 10, the department of correctional services confirmed.
Block was sentenced to 15 years for corruption and money laundering on December 6, 2016.
According to the departmental spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo, the parole placement decision was taken by the Correctional Supervision and Parole Board (CSPB), following section 73 of the correctional services act.
“The offender rehabilitation path plays an important role when the inmate’s suitability for parole placement is being considered by the CSPB.
“Block was an active inmate, having participated in a number of correctional programmes, and went on to obtain a diploma in business management.
“Reports by the specialists are part of the material submitted to the CSPB as they provide details in terms of the inmate’s readiness for social reintegration,” he said.
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Nxumalo stated that Block benefited from the Special Remission of Sentences of 2019, 2020 and 2023, thus bringing forward his minimum detention period to September 13, 2023.
He added; “This also takes into consideration the special remission of sentence for meritorious service as per Section 80 of the correctional services act.
“Block will complete the remainder of the sentence in the system of community corrections and will be subjected to supervision in compliance with parole conditions until his sentence expires on June 26, 2029.”
