Five suspects arrested for alleged mafia activities in KZN construction sector

Five suspects, aged 28 to 44, were remanded in custody on Monday afternoon after being arrested on Saturday on suspicion of involvement in construction mafia activities.

The five suspects were arrested on Saturday for intimidation and disruption of infrastructure in uMsunduzi, KwaZulu-Natal.

This happened after the police responded to reports of a group of people disrupting work at a construction site where a bridge is under construction.

Curbing the activities of the construction mafia

“Upon arrival at the scene, police arrested the five suspects and charged them with intimidation and disrupting a construction site,” said Colonel Robert Netshiunda, spokesperson for the KwaZulu-Natal police.

The arrest is part of efforts by the KZN Provincial Reaction Task Team of the South African Police Service (SAPS) to curb the activities of the construction mafia.

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On Monday morning, Minister for Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson was present at Camperdown Court.

The minister said he was there to welcome and support the work of the SAPS, which had made arrests in connection with “stoppages and extortion demands for a state-led infrastructure project.”

On Monday, another site was intimidated and threatened

“I was informed last night by the provincial commission that there were a number of arrests made, not only there, but at a particular point, a project this morning was subjected to intimidation and threats,” Macpherson said in a short video on X.

The minister added that the police are supported by the ministry to do their job, secure construction sites and bring those responsible to justice.

“We want to ensure that this case remains on the docket, that the accused are not granted bail, that the necessary investigations are carried out and that a very strong message is sent to those who commit these crimes against the state and against our construction sites to face justice,” Macpherson said.

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The minister announced on Monday afternoon that the suspects have been remanded in custody.

Urgent meeting to develop approach to construction mafia

Last week the department announced that the Minister and KZN Executive Council Member (MEC) of Public Works and Infrastructure Martin Meyer have jointly decided that an emergency meeting should be held in KZN with all relevant MECs in all provinces and the ministers of the law enforcement cluster to formulate a response to the construction mafia.