Construction mafia | Public Prosecution Service: Entire country held hostage by extortionists

CAMPERDOWN – The entire country is being held hostage by extortionists.

That is one of the arguments put forward by the Public Prosecution Service during the hearing on a bail application by five men accused of disrupting a bridge construction project in KwaXimba, KwaZulu-Natal.

The five men – Andile Jiyane, Elias Phetha, Nhlanhla Makhathini, Sibonelo Khanyile and Thabani Nkomo – appeared in Camperdown Magistrates Court accused of extortion.

READ: Suspected members of the construction mafia back in court

They deny being part of the construction mafia and say they were just wondering why the project hired people from outside and not locals.

The bail hearing continues on Friday.

• This was reported by Siphamandla Goge of eNCA.