KZN police urged to act after armed robbery at road construction site

KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma has called for urgent police action following the armed robbery of a construction company in Bergville on Monday night.

The company is contracted by the department for a R177 million road rehabilitation project under the Okhahlamba Local Municipality. According to reports, six armed men entered the site, held workers at gunpoint and stole 300 litres of diesel before fleeing.

Department spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya confirmed the incident, saying, “The violent and gun-toting construction mafia — the gang of six — harassed the workers who are employed by the company mandated to construct the road linking Bergville to Drakensberg Royal Natal Park through R74. The department has invested R170 million for the rehabilitation of this road, P304.”

Sibiya says the road is critical for access to essential services. “The devastating floods destroyed this road network, resulting in hundreds of companies [communities] being isolated as they can’t access hospitals, schools and socio-economic centres,” he adds.

Police are investigating the incident. No arrests have been made.

Construction Mafia | At least 240 arrests made nationwide since 2024