By Thapelo Molefe
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Sihle Zikalala has called on the SA Human Rights Commission to investigate the tragic building collapse in George earlier this year, and the widespread exploitation of workers in the construction sector.
Speaking at the National Construction Summit in eThekwini on Tuesday, Zikalala emphasised the urgent need for transformation and ethical practices within the built environment.
The summit brought together high-ranking government officials, private sector stakeholders and law enforcement leaders to develop a unified plan to combat site disruptions, criminal syndicates and corruption in the construction industry.
“The collapse of the George building in May, which claimed the lives of 34 people, is a glaring example of systemic failure in protecting vulnerable workers. Of those who lost their lives, 23 were foreign nationals from countries such as Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Lesotho,” Zikalala stated.
“This tragedy underscores the need for an investigation into government failures to conclude inquiries into such incidents and report on their findings.”
Zikalala cited a report by the Home Affairs Department, which detailed the arrest of 480 undocumented foreign nationals in the Garden Route district during operations conducted earlier this year.
“This exploitation of foreign workers to evade paying minimum wages is not only unethical, but undermines the contribution of the construction sector to economic growth and job creation,” he added.
The deputy minister also addressed the rise of criminality within the industry, including extortion by the construction mafia.
“These criminal activities, which began in KwaZulu-Natal and have since spread to other provinces, pose a significant threat to personnel and economic activity. This is criminality and it should never be conflated with transformation,” Zikalala asserted.
“We commend law enforcement agencies for their efforts in apprehending offenders, but more decisive action is needed.”
Zikalala highlighted the importance of fostering collaboration among stakeholders to tackle site disruptions and other challenges plaguing the industry.
“This summit provides an opportunity to chart a path forward. We must address the issues hindering growth, including corruption and the undue payment delays faced by contractors,” he said.
The deputy minister also expressed his support for the establishment of an Office of the Engineer-General to enhance the safety and performance of the construction sector.
Additionally, he urged the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) to continue its contractor development programme, particularly to uplift women contractors.
Zikalala emphasised the role of infrastructure-led growth in driving economic development and job creation.
“The construction sector is resilient, and with the right interventions, it can contribute even more to GDP and employment. However, we must ensure that its growth is not undermined by exploitation, corruption, and criminality,” he said.
He concluded with a commitment to intensify Operation Rea Patala (Operation Pay on Time) to ensure contractors were paid without undue delays and to safeguard the rights of all workers in the industry.
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson also declared a firm stance against criminality in the sector, describing the summit as a turning point.
“Today, we draw a line in the sand. Lawlessness in the construction industry will no longer be tolerated,” Macpherson said.
“We will not negotiate with criminals who disrupt projects desperately needed by our people.”
He criticised the criminal syndicates that exploited the government’s 30% procurement rule, originally intended to empower local subcontractors on public projects.
“These groups demand payments without doing any work or intimidate contractors into hiring their associates. This is not empowerment; it is extortion,” he asserted.
The minister has again called for a review of the procurement rule to prevent abuse while still supporting legitimate local businesses.
“We remain committed to empowering communities, but we must ensure this empowerment is not hijacked by criminals,” he said.
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