By Thapelo Molefe
In a historic move to address rampant crime in South Africa’s construction sector, the National Construction Summit concluded with the adoption of the Durban Declaration on Crime-Free Construction Sites.
The agreement, spearheaded by Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson, brought together his department, the police, the Treasury and the Construction Industry Development Board.
Macpherson emphasised that the declaration represented a unified approach to tackling extortion and violence on construction sites, which have significantly hampered development and threatened economic growth.
“This document is the culmination of rigorous preparatory work by our departments, enriched by live inputs from summit commissions,” he said.
The declaration outlines five priorities, which form the foundation of a multifaceted strategy to stamp out crime in the construction sector.
It prioritises strengthening legislation governing the construction industry. This includes developing and implementing policies aimed at fostering a safer and more efficient sector.
Enhanced data collection and reporting systems will be implemented, coupled with rapid response mechanisms to address extortion and violence.
Macpherson stressed the importance of ensuring arrests and successful prosecutions to deter criminal activity.
A standard framework for social facilitation will be developed to integrate community engagement into project planning and execution. This aims to foster trust and cooperation between developers and local communities.
The summit highlighted the need for a structured pathway for the growth of emerging enterprises within the construction industry. This included skills development and support for small businesses to thrive in the sector.
Recognising the importance of collective action, the declaration establishes platforms for industry stakeholders to share best practices and collaborate on innovative solutions to industry challenges.
The declaration was signed by Macpherson, his deputy Sihle Zikalala and other senior officials.
“This summit marks a pivotal moment for the construction industry,” Macpherson said.
“The commitment to crime-free construction sites is not just a policy imperative, but a moral and economic necessity. We must restore confidence in the sector and ensure that development projects proceed without fear of violence or extortion.”
The Durban Declaration signals a determined effort by government and industry leaders to tackle crime head-on and create an environment conducive to sustainable development.
While challenges remain, the commitments made at the summit offer a glimmer of hope for the freeing SA’s construction sector of crime and giving it a much-needed boost.
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