| Kimberley Mental Hospital case transferred to High Court | |
|---|---|
| Date Published | |
| 2026/02/17 | |
| Details | |
Media Statement KIMBERLEY – The Kimberley Mental Hospital matter has been transferred from the Kimberley Magistrates’ Court to the Northern Cape Division of the High Court of South Africa for a pre-trial hearing scheduled for 23 April 2026. The accused, including former MEC for Transport, Roads and Public Works, John Fikile Block, appeared before the Kimberley Magistrates’ Court, where the matter was transferred to the High Court in terms of Section 75(1)(c) of the Criminal Procedure Act, Act 51 of 1977. The accused in this matter are: Former MEC John Fikile Block, Patience Mercia Mokhali (Former HOD), Motlalepula Elias Selemela (former HOD), Ruth Palm (former HOD), Babereki Consulting Engineers CC, Tshegolekae Motaung (Director of Babereki Consulting Engineers), Lourencia Crause,Louis Adriaan Van Niekerk, Monyahi Winston Modisa and Edward Charles Pullen Petzer. The four co-accused, Crause, Van Niekerk, Modisa, and Petzer, who were directors of Strabismis Trading (Pty) Ltd and Babereki Consulting Engineers (Pty) Ltd, are charged in both their personal and fiduciary capacities. They face charges ranging from fraud, corruption, money laundering, and contraventions of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), Act 1 of 1999. The charges stem from the construction of the Kimberley Mental Hospital project, which commenced in 2005 with an initial budget of approximately R297 million. The project’s cost allegedly escalated to more than R1 billion due to delays, poor workmanship, irregular procurement processes, and repeated changes in contractors. The matter forms part of broader investigations into allegations of public corruption and mismanagement of public funds. The accused, including former HOD Mokhali, former MEC Block, Babereki Consulting Engineers, and its director Tshegolekae Motaung, have been out on bail following their appearance in court. The matter has been postponed to 23 April 2026 for a pre-trial hearing in the Northern Cape Division of the High Court. All accused remain on bail, and their bail conditions have been extended by the Kimberley Magistrates’ Court pending their appearance in the High Court. The National Prosecuting Authority remains committed to ensuring accountability and upholding the rule of law in matters involving public funds and service delivery. Ends
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