In the fight against the construction mafia, which has cost the country more than R68 billion and driven hundreds of engineers out of the country because they don’t feel secure, South Africa might be making progress.
The South African Forum of Civil Engineering Contractors reports that in KwaZulu-Natal, the center of the disruptions, there have been less violent events and work stoppages associated with the construction mafia.
While there has been a decline in the number of incidents involving the construction mafia, Webster Mfebe, CEO of the South African Forum of Civil Engineering Contractors, told Moneyweb that government intervention, especially at the municipal level, and constructive dialogue are needed to promote community involvement and transparency in construction projects.
According to Mfebe, there has been an unsettling trend: between 2018 and 2022, over 400 construction sites had disruptions, which has damaged the industry’s reputation and resulted in the departure of qualified workers.
With more resources at their disposal and improved capabilities, these teams have already made significant progress, with over 600 Mafia-related arrests to far.
Reinforcing these special task teams has been made possible in large part by national commissioner Fannie Masemola and police minister Bheki Cele. Their actions indicate a firm attitude against these criminal forces, as does the President’s offer of increased resources.
Mfebe has demanded a more thorough investigation of the fundamental factors that contributed to the construction Mafia’s ascent, even as the police continue to address the problem.
Based on the 2023 ENACT Organized Crime Index for Africa, the South African construction industry’s Mafia possesses characteristics similar to those of a Mafia.
They frequently pose as business forums or organizations dedicated to economic transformation; they have recognizable membership, well-known leaders, and authority over the areas in which they operate.
The building The Mafia engages in widespread systemic extortion. According to the index, its strategy include invading building sites all over the nation and requesting a portion—typically 30%—of the project contract value in exchange for its members’ employment on these projects.
President Cyril Ramaphosa ordered the creation of 20 specialized task teams to tackle illegal mining, infrastructure vandalism, and the construction mafia. This announcement coincided with a decrease in the number of incidents.
