Ministry of Public Works wants an end to construction mafia

DURBAN – The Ministry of Works and Infrastructure says it is working to end the so-called construction mafia in the various provinces.

This comes as extortion rings continue to disrupt government construction projects, especially in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).

The illegal collective is known to demand a share of the profits from services provided by contractors and even threatens them to leave the construction site.

READ MORE:

Minister Dean Mcpherson said a recent case of extortion has claimed lives on the KZN South Coast.

“During a recent oversight visit to the Umkhomazi Water project, I heard how an altercation with the construction mafia had led to the death of three people and the attack on another. This is simply unacceptable. We will never be able to attract additional infrastructure investment and turn the country into a construction site as long as this lawlessness continues.”

He said the department and all MECs in the different provinces should hold a meeting with the police to resolve the issues.

“It is therefore imperative to hold this important meeting with the MECs of Public Works across the country and the ministers of the law enforcement and security cluster to develop a comprehensive plan to turn the tide against the construction mafia, not only to attract additional investment in infrastructure but also to protect the lives of our people.”