Fraud accused Block sparks DA walkout

Opposition parties in Northern Cape walked out of the provincial legislature yesterday as finance MEC John Block, who is facing corruption charges, was about to table the province's adjusted budget .

Provincial DA leader Andrew Louw said Block, who is also the ANC's provincial chairman, was not fit to present a government budget.

Block also faces fraud, money-laundering and racketeering charges.

Speaker Boeboe van Wyk said "the business of the day was, however, not interrupted", adding he regretted the opposition walkout.

ANC chief whip Kagiso Molusi said the walkout was an impediment to service delivery.

Louw called on acting Premier Grizelda Cjiekella to remove Block and social development MEC Alvin Botes from their positions.

Both were charged in connection with government leases awarded to a company called Trifecta.

Louw said Block, in light of the allegations against him, could not be trusted with the province's finances.

"The premier cannot make fools of the public by allowing him to present this budget."

Louw said the public was being expected to ignore a mountain of allegations involving the misuse of public funds.

"Questions must be raised as to why he was adjusting the budget."

Louw said Cjiekella had to rise above the fact that the two men were her political seniors.

"She must act in the interests of the public and good governance," he said.