Correctional Services denies Sisulu claim around John Block

Block is serving a 15-year sentence at the Kimberly Correctional Centre after his sentencing in December 2016.

The Northern Cape High Court found him guilty of fraud, corruption and money laundering in 2015.

Sisulu and Boesak briefed the media on Tuesday. 

They claim prison officials denied them access to visit Block even though they followed the relevant processes.

"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.

“Earlier this year I had written an article which provoked a great deal of response. The article was titled ‘Hi Mzansi, have we seen justice?’

Today I experienced that same injustice - that same lack of care for other people’s rights that I had been talking about.

“I’m tempted to write ‘Hi Mzansi…’ part 2 about our experiences with the prison authorities today.

“Reverent Boesak, myself and friends to John Block had come to see him. But pivotally, I had come to see him as a relative of his. Rev. Boesak had come to see him as a pastor. And that is allowed by the legislation of the correctional service," added Sisulu.

But Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo refuted the claims, saying no member of the public can ever be denied an opportunity to visit an inmate.

"The 243 correctional centres across the country allow the public to make bookings to visit both remand detainees and sentenced inmates, with dates and times allocated for such visits. 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.

“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 also 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.

“It is also critical to highlight that under the Covid-19 Parole Dispensation and Special Remission of Sentences, certain categories of inmates who committed crimes including murder, sexual assault, child abuse, high treason, sabotage, and terrorism, were excluded. Therefore, utterances insinuating that a rapist was released on parole under the Covid-19 Parole Dispensation are wholly unfounded and unfortunate," adds  Nxumalo.

ALSO READ