Block released on bail at last
GASTOL Savoi, the Uruguayan businessman arrested with Northern Cape MEC and ANC provincial leader John Block says fraud and corruption charges against him are part of a political conspiracy.
Savoi and Block were released on bail of R100000 each yesterday, after spending seven nights in custody in Kimberley.
The two, together with seven others, are facing charges of fraud, corruption, money laundering and contravening the Public Finance Management Act.
The charges relate to tenders awarded for water purification equipment for the provincial department of health worth R42million.
Speaking through public relations company Create A Stir, Savoi's attorney, George van Niekerk of Edward Nathan Sonnenberg, said "there are clearly powerful political motives at play in this matter".
"I have grave concerns about the way the prosecution has been conducted and the integrity of the process. Dr Savoi looks forward to establishing his innocence if and when the matter ever comes to court."
Savoi owns several companies including Intaka Investments, Skyros Management, Intaka Tech and Skyros Health.
He is already out on bail of R200000 on charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering in KwaZulu-Natal.
This relates to a R44,5million tender allegedly awarded fraudulently by the KwaZulu-Natal health department to Intaka Tech in 2005.
Savoi allegedly made a R1million donation to the ANC in exchange for getting the tender.
Sowetan's sister paper The Times revealed last year that Ntombenhle Shabalala, wife of KwaZulu-Natal's former treasury head Sipho Shabalala, had been a director of one of Savoi's companies since 2004.
Savoi also owned a R56million Lear Jet which was confiscated by the Assets Forfeiture Unit.
The ANCYL in the Northern Cape has also claimed that there is a conspiracy against Block. They argue that Block was not working in government when deals between the provincial health department and Intaka Tech were signed and so should not have been linked to tender fraud.
Methodman
Scandalous Block, he is just blaiming it on political conspiracy hahahahahaaa!!Report Abuse
Methodman
I think these politician and thier supporters who are defying the law of this country are causing a publicity stunt, because after they put the judges under a lot of pressure and intimidation they(corrupt politicians) end up in parliament/union building instead of jail.Everything its political conspirancy to them, to confuse the public!!
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Methodman
Mandela was jailed for 27 years Block, and you only jailed in police station for 7 days ,so I dont sympathise with you John, PUBLICITY STUNT MANReport Abuse
Damora
@MethodmanWhen addressing his followers after being bailed out, Mr Block compliant that other people knew before that he was going to be arrested and so that should be seen as a political conspiracy. My question is, What is wrong when people knows that i am going to be arrested before being chained? Let the law prevail, we tired of this political picketing outside our courts everytime a popular politician is been prosecuted. What a Banana republic is our beautiful land!!!!
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KeRataBasadi
@ Ace100Exactly bra! Block is no hero, he should pay as much as the next man if he's done wrong. And Yes Service delivery PLEASE!!!!
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TDK
Cheap talk!!!!! These Mec's and Premier left their offices during the office hours. That's disgusting. Mr. Simelane must crack a painful whip. Block must never be released on parole too if convicted.Report Abuse