Dean Macpherson, Minister of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and KwaZulu-Natal Public Works and Infrastructure MEC Martin Meyer, have called for an urgent meeting to develop a decisive response strategy to address the construction mafia challenge across the country.
In a statement, Minister Macpherson said they have jointly agreed that an urgent meeting is required in every province, with all the respective MECs and the Ministers in the Law Enforcement cluster. MacPherson and Meyer have indicated that should be held in KwaZulu-Natal.
The decision follows a meeting between Macpherson and Meyer, during which Meyer presented a report detailing the resurgence of construction mafia activities in KwaZulu-Natal.
“Shortly after I was appointed as Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, I vowed to deal decisively with the construction mafia and to restore the rule of law at construction sites across the country.
“During a recent oversight visit to the uMkhomazi water project, I learnt how an altercation with the construction mafia led to the death of three people and the assault of another. This is simply unacceptable. We will never be able to attract additional infrastructure investment, and turn the country into a construction site, while this lawlessness continues,” Macpherson said.
The Minister stated it is imperative to host the meeting with Public Works MECs across the country, along with the Ministers in the Law Enforcement cluster to develop a comprehensive plan to turn the tide against the construction mafia “to not only attract additional infrastructure investment but protect the lives of our people.”
Beyond addressing the construction mafia, the Macpherson and Meyer discussed the potential reform of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), to ensure it benefits recipients and contributes to job creation.
The two further explored how national and provincial governments could collaborate to expand infrastructure development in KwaZulu-Natal.
“KwaZulu-Natal is a province of such immense potential, and I therefore look forward to working closely with the MEC to unlock economic growth and job creation in the province,” he said.
The Minister added that he will be meeting with MECs and mayors in other provinces in the week ahead, to determine how they may work together to improve the lives of South Africans
“It is only through working together towards a common vision that we can unlock South Africa’s potential. Let’s Build South Africa,” the Minister said.
Meanwhile, the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Reaction Task Team established to curb construction mafia related activities has arrested five suspects for intimidation and disturbance of infrastructure. The five were apprehended at uMsunduzi on Saturday, 24 August.
Police responded to reports of a group of people who were disturbing activities at a construction site where a bridge is under construction in uMsunduzi. On arrival at the scene, police arrested the five suspects and they were duly charged for intimidation as well as the disturbance of a construction site.
