Police Minister Vows to Eliminate Construction Mafia Costing South Africa R68 Billion

• Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has vowed to eliminate the construction mafia, which extorts funds and protection fees from local construction companies.
• The extortion syndicates have cost South Africa over R68 billion, according to former Public Works Minister Sihle Zikalala.
• Mchunu emphasized the government’s serious stance against these illegal activities and stressed the need for genuine economic transformation through proper policies.

Police Minister Vows to Eliminate Construction Mafia Costing South Africa R68 Billion

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has pledged to rid South Africa of the construction mafia.

Speaking at a media briefing in Pretoria on Monday as reported by EyeWitness News, Mchunu called these syndicates a thorn in the government’s side.

The extortion groups demand an unwarranted share of funds and a “protection fee” from local construction companies.

Former Public Works Minister Sihle Zikalala revealed that the construction mafia has cost the country over R68 billion.

Mchunu stressed the government’s commitment to tackling this issue.

“We take the issue of ‘construction mafias’ in the country very seriously,” he said.

Mchunu emphasized that genuine economic transformation can happen through the right channels and policies.

He condemned the hijacking of construction sites and the use of extortion to secure business.

“We will not tolerate these illegal activities,” Mchunu added.