Africa-Press – South-Africa. Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson said his department is starting to break the hold the construction mafia has had on government infrastructure projects.
In KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), it’s been a year since a project in the province has been interfered with.
On Thursday, Macpherson reported that since a pact was signed at a national construction summit in Durban, in November last year, more than 700 cases related to the so-called construction mafia have been lodged.
He added that at least 250 people have been arrested in connection with these complaints.
Macpherson said with greater police involvement, significant progress has been made to lessen the grip of the construction mafia on government building sites.
He said construction companies have reported regaining 80% of the construction hours previously lost to work stoppages caused by the interference on projects.
“These early indicators show that confidence is slowly beginning to be restored in the sector. Effectively the market is beginning to believe that what the government says we will do, the government will do.”
Macpherson said in the last year, 176 people have been convicted for site stoppages, violence and intimidation.
“That proactive security response has shown people that if they try and stop sites, there will be a consequence for it.”
The minister has ascribed the success to a combination of factors including a dedicated South African Police Service (SAPS) official in every province overseeing complaints, and improved communication with local communities.
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