John Block

The Department of Correctional Services has refuted claims that Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and struggle stalwart Alan Boesak were denied access to ...

"DCS did explain in detail how inmates were being considered for the Covid-19 parole dispensation and the Special Remission of Sentences. Therefore, utterances insinuating that a rapist was released on parole under the Covid-19 Parole Dispensation are wholly unfounded and unfortunate," adds Nxumalo. DCS is a security department hence the need to implement and follow procedures as prescribed," says Nxumalo. There is nothing in law prohibiting minister from visiting inmates; however, it has to be stated that the same procedures meant for members of the public apply equally to the Executive and individuals who may want to provide spiritual support. Boesak had come to see him as a pastor. But pivotally, I had come to see him as a relative of his.

Minister of Tourism Lindiwe Sisulu on Tuesday accused prison authorities of not allowing her to visit former Northern Cape ANC chairperson John Block.

She said not being allowed to visit Block was a “blatant abuse of human rights”. “They haven’t provided any reason other than that ministers are not allowed to visit prisoners. I sensed that something sinister is happening,” he said. “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,” said Nxumalo. “Block didn’t want to be seen to be supporting Ramaphosa,” said Boesak. In a statement, the Department of Correctional Services said “no member of the public can ever be denied an opportunity to visit an inmate”.

Human Rights Activist, the Reverend Alan Boesak maintains that being denied access to see convicted former African National Congress (ANC) Northern Cape ...

The duo maintain that the necessary preparations with the correctional services were done ahead of the visit and they were surprised when they were turned back. “It is pure political manipulation, and we are in an election season, let’s not be naive about that the person next to me clearly is the person that is such a threat to those who are in political positions of power right now, that even a visit to an inmate is too much for them to handle, so that’s political opportunism of the worst kind,” laments Human Rights activist Alan Boesak. Boesak along with Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu allege that they were denied access to the Upington Correctional Service where Block is serving his 15-year sentence.

ANC NEC member and Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu claims she was barred from visiting imprisoned former Northern Cape chair John Block at an Upington jail.

Sisulu was the National Executive Committee official sent by the ANC to tell Block and members of the Northern Cape ANC of his imminent arrest in 2018. In 2020, the Department of Correctional Services dismissed claims by EFF leader Julius Malema that Block had been released from jail. “DCS did explain in detail how inmates were being considered for the Covid-19 parole dispensation and the Special Remission of Sentences. There is nothing in law prohibiting ministers from visiting inmates; however, it has to be stated that the same procedures meant for members of the public apply equally to the executive and individuals who may want to provide spiritual support. DCS is a security department, hence the need to implement and follow procedures as prescribed,” the statement reads. [Hi Mzansi, have you seen justice?](https://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/opinion/lindiwe-sisulu-hi-mzansi-have-we-seen-justice-d9b151e5-e5db-4293-aa21-dcccd52a36d3)’, in which she criticised the Constitution, she said: “Earlier this year I had written an article which provoked a great deal of response. Sisulu said she would consider suing the state and would assist Block if he also intended to take legal action. “We received permission on Monday and were given a time of 11am and then waited for an hour, then you are not allowed… “It was a slap in the face that I was not able to see him. I was accompanied by my staff and by Reverend Allan Boesak. Reverend Boesak had come to see him as a pastor. But pivotally, I had come to see him as a relative of his.

Lindiwe Sisulu claimed she wasn't allowed to visit fellow ANC comrade John Block, who is serving prison time for corruption.

“DCS did explain in detail how inmates were being considered for the Covid-19 parole dispensation and the Special Remission of Sentences. DCS is a security department hence the need to implement and follow procedures as prescribed,” says Nxumalo. I was accompanied by my staff and by Reverend Allan Boesak.

Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu said that she would now help convicted fraudster John Block sue the state after she and human rights activist, ...

"It is important to highlight that no member of the public can ever be denied an opportunity to visit an inmate as such is prescribed in a Correctional Services Act. Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu said that she would now help convicted fraudster John Block sue the state after she and human rights activist, Reverend Allan Boesak, were denied access to see him at the Upington prison.