Lerato Mbhiza and Jonathan Paoli
ActionSA KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Chairperson Zwakele Mncwango says his party condemns the decision made by MEC for Public Works, Sipho ’KK’ Nkosi, to enter into negotiations with the so-called ‘construction mafia’.
According to reports, the construction mafias have been terrorising and disrupting construction projects in parts of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
“It is a cause for grave concern that, instead of cracking down on these criminals who not only halt construction but also create fear and uncertainty amongst potential investors, the KZN government is beginning to recognise such groups as a structure in our community that needs to be negotiated with as a legitimate entity,” Mncwango said
Mncwango said while the party encourages the government’s commitment to working with formal business forums and for interventions where there is a need – especially among previously disadvantaged groups – ActionSA “vehemently rejects the notion of meeting with criminals and seeking to reach an agreement that favours them in any way.”
The position taken by the KZN Public Works MEC contradicts that of the national government where in a recent interview, Minister of Public Works, Sihle Zikalala, said his department is cracking down on the syndicates.
Zikalala also said there have been over 200 arrests countrywide and that his office would be collaborating with the police in order to deal with ‘this economic sabotage’.
He added that the ‘construction mafias’ have been holding service delivery to ransom in KZN and other parts of the country for far too long and it cannot continue unabated.
However, the DA is not convinced and said it submitted on Monday a Promotion of Access to Information (PAIA) application to the police, specifically requesting a breakdown of the details of Zikalala’s systematic criminal prosecution against both construction projects, as well as the 200 individuals, alleged to be part of the ‘construction mafia’.
The DA said Zikalala has consistently made the claim of over 200 arrests, but the party remains skeptical “largely because there has been no improvement on the ground and some projects have had to be suspended.”
“Despite the R68 billion cost that the construction mafia and their associated extortion activities have exerted on the economy, Zikalala has responded with half-baked measures that have had limited or no impact at all,” said the DA in a statement.
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