Correctional services hits back at Sisulu over John Block claims

The Department of Correctional Services has refuted claims made by Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu about her fellow African National Congress (ANC) comrade John Block and his treatment in the prison system.

Sisulu claimed that Block, the Northern Cape Finance MEC serving time for corruption, is being treated unfairly and was denied an early release in favour of foreign nationals and sexual offenders, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2015, Block was found guilty of fraud, corruption and money laundering in 2015 and sentenced to 15 years behind bars.

During a media briefing in Upington on Tuesday, 18 October 2022, Sisulu claimed she and cleric Allan Boesak were denied access to Block, whom she painted as a victim of injustice.

“This morning we went to see him. I was accompanied by my staff and by Reverend Allan Boesak. We had wanted to be with him (John Block) and it is his constitutional right to have visitors, and it is also my right to have access to him if the law allows that,” said Sisulu.

LINDIWE SISULU: JOHN BLOCK TREATED UNFAIRLY

The Department of Correctional Services is responding to Lindiwe Sisulu’s utterances, saying the minister was supposed to make a booking prior to seeing John Block.

The department’s spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo says no inmate should receive special treatment.

“The Correctional Services Act calls for inmates to be treated equally and it will be unfortunate if some are to be treated differently due to their proximity in whatever capacity to certain leaders and prominent people in society. DCS is a security department hence the need to implement and follow procedures as prescribed,” says  Nxumalo.

Sisulu further claimed Block’s name was removed from the list of people considered for parole during COVID-19, something the department has also denied.

“DCS did explain in detail how inmates were being considered for the Covid-19 parole dispensation and the Special Remission of Sentences. There were enquiries on inmate John Block being on the list of those who were granted parole, and it was clarified that he was never on the list as he did not meet the stipulated criteria,” Nxumalo said.