MEC Mamabolo Urges Action Against Construction Mafias in Gauteng
By Tiisetso Ngoedi
The MEC for Infrastructure Development and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Jacob Mamabolo, has issued a firm condemnation of so-called "construction mafias" armed criminal groups disrupting key infrastructure projects in Gauteng. Speaking during an interview on SABC Morning Live, Mamabolo revealed how these syndicates pose as local business forums, using threats and violence to forcefully demand a share of government contracts. Their illegal actions frequently result in halted projects, endangered workers, and rising security costs.
MEC Mamabolo emphasised that these are not legitimate stakeholders but organised criminals who should be addressed through legal action. He noted that their interference has caused significant project delays and, in some cases, forced contractors to abandon worksites, directly harming essential service delivery, particularly in health and education projects.
While the Gauteng government remains committed to inclusive economic participation, Mamabolo made it clear that extortion cannot replace fairness, transparency, and the rule of law. He reaffirmed that infrastructure development will proceed, using platforms such as the Infrastructure Delivery Platform (iDEP) to ensure that projects benefit communities as intended.
To counteract the growing threat, the provincial government is working with police and key partners to establish specialised task teams to reclaim and safeguard construction sites. 
Echoing this stance, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, addressed the issue at the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium South Africa (SIDSSA) 2025. He called for united action, stating that crime-free construction environments are vital for protecting workers and attracting investment. "By working together, we can defeat the construction mafia and build a better South Africa," he said.
The DID remains focused on completing major school projects, including Semphato Secondary School, Dr WK du Plessis (LSEN), Simunye Secondary, Nancefield Primary, and Rus-Ter-Vaal Primary.
To report mafia activity, citizens can contact SAPS, the National Anti-Corruption Hotline (0800 701 701), the Presidential Hotline (17737), the SIU Hotline (0800 037 774), or the Financial Intelligence Centre.