Minister calls for emergency meeting to tackle construction mafia

Minister of Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson and KwaZulu-Natal MEC of Works and Infrastructure Martin Meyer have announced plans for an emergency meeting to formulate a decisive response to the challenge of the construction mafia across the country.

Minister Macpherson said in a statement that they have collectively decided that an emergency meeting should be held in KwaZulu-Natal with all MECs in all provinces and the ministers of the Law Enforcement cluster.

The decision follows a meeting between Macpherson and Meyer, at which Meyer presented a report describing the revival of mafia activities in the construction sector in KwaZulu-Natal.

“Shortly after I was appointed Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, I promised to take a decisive approach to the construction mafia and restore the rule of law on construction sites across the country.

“During a recent oversight visit to the uMkhomazi water project, I learned how an altercation with the construction mafia 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,” Macpherson said.

The Minister stated that it is therefore imperative to convene the meeting with the MECs of Public Works across the country and the Ministers of the Law Enforcement cluster to develop a comprehensive plan to turn the tide against the construction mafia “to not only attract additional investment in infrastructure but also protect the lives of our people.”

In addition to tackling the construction mafia, the Minister and MEC Meyer discussed the possible reform of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) to ensure that the programme benefits its recipients and contributes to job creation.

It also explored how national and provincial governments can work together to expand infrastructure development in KwaZulu-Natal.

“KwaZulu-Natal is a province with enormous potential and I look forward to working closely with the MEC to unlock economic growth and employment in the province,” he said.

The Minister added that he will meet with MECs in other provinces and mayors in the coming week to discuss how they can work together to improve the lives of our citizens.

“Only by working together towards a common vision can we unlock the potential of South Africa. Let us build South Africa,” the minister said. – SAnews.gov.za

SANews.gov.za

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