Summit hears that R60 bln extorted by construction mafia since 2019

Political opportunism and economic misrepresentation are some of the factors fueling the prevalence of the construction mafia.

This emerged during the sector’s webinar summit, organised by the law firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr.

Construction engineering experts have called for policy certainty and a greater focus on rooting out the construction mafia, which is linked to the 30 percent empowerment policy.

Experts say several construction projects have stalled because of the mafia. 

Sentebale Makara, from the law firm, shared alarming insights: “Since 2019, we are looking at about 180 projects that have been affected by this, which has culminated in more than R60 billion that has been dealt with in various forms with extortion, violence and sabotage.”

Makara went on to explain how the mafia operates, noting that one of the reasons people comply with their demands is because of the extreme measures the syndicates are willing to take.

“What makes people comply, first and foremost, is that they are willing to kill. We’ve seen that they are willing to extort.” 

Makara also pointed out that political interference and opportunism have played a significant role, particularly with 2024 being an election year.

“We had seen quite a big boom in the vulnerable projects as the lead-up to elections,” Makara added, referring to how political factors often fuel the growth of such illicit activities.