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Kimberley Mental Hospital Fraud Case Moves to High Court for April Pre-Trial

Prosecutors report financial losses now above R88 million, signalling a broader tender-fraud case entering the trial-preparation phase.

The entrance of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in Pretoria. Picture: Michel Bega/The Citizen
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Overview

  • The case has been transferred to the Northern Cape High Court with a pre-trial set for 23 April 2026.
  • Ten accused, including former MEC John Fikile Block, several former department heads and Babereki Consulting Engineers CC, face charges of fraud, corruption, money laundering and PFMA contraventions.
  • Indictments were served on 17 February after a court ultimatum, and all of the accused remain on bail.
  • The charges arise from a hospital project launched in 2005 that grew from an approved R297 million budget to more than R1 billion due to delays, irregular procurement and contractor changes.
  • The NPA says financial prejudice has risen to more than R88 million, resulting in additional corruption counts, and confirms the state is ready to proceed.