The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) welcomes the significant progress made by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) in cracking down on the construction mafia, which has plagued workers, communities and the economy for years. These criminal networks extort contractors, delay critical public works projects, and constantly endanger the lives of workers. They are also exacerbating South Africa’s deepening infrastructure crisis, impeding development, driving up project costs and denying poor communities access to vital services.
According to the DPWI Minister, 770 cases of construction-related extortion and intimidation have been reported across the country since the government’s coordinated response began in November 2024. Of these, 241 were arrested and 176 were convicted. SAFTU recognizes this as a major step forward in restoring stability in the sector and protecting people’s rights to critical infrastructure.
For years, the construction sector has been paralyzed by violent extortion, intimidation and project suspensions, undermining service delivery and perpetuating poverty in working-class communities. These criminal networks exploit and weaponize real grievances such as unemployment, exclusion and inequality for personal gain and criminal enrichment. Their actions are contributing to the collapse of public infrastructure and confining the working class to increasingly dangerous and degrading living conditions.
Across the country, the effects of this collapse are clear. Workers and communities are forced to endure crumbling roads, failed railways, burst water pipes, lost loads, and damaged health clinics and schools. Public infrastructure now reflects governance failures, corruption and austerity. Aging municipal infrastructure is destroying local economies, causing job losses, rising transportation costs, and the erosion of public services that millions of people rely on.
SAFTU has been encouraged by the DPWI for finally handling the construction mafia crisis with the seriousness it deserves. We welcome the Ministry’s cooperation with law enforcement agencies, improved monitoring mechanisms, and efforts to protect workers and contractors from violence and extortion. However, we emphasize that this breakthrough must not end with arrests and announcements. It must be part of a broader national plan to rebuild the country’s shattered infrastructure and restore public sector capacity.
SAFTU warns that the fight against the construction mafia cannot be separated from the broader fight against corruption, privatization and austerity, policies that have hollowed out state capacity, undermined service delivery and left room for criminal organizations to flourish. States need to rebuild their engineering, planning, and construction capabilities to reduce their reliance on private contractors and consultants.
SAFTU calls for the following urgent measures
1. Dedicated and professional law enforcement skills
The unit focused solely on construction extortion, with intelligence support, rapid response capabilities, and strong prosecutorial support.
2. Protection of workers and whistleblowers
Workers should never be left alone on the job site to face violence, intimidation or intimidation.
3. Transparent, community-driven procurement
Local participation must be authentic and democratic and not captured by syndicates or politically connected elites.
4. Public reporting and monitoring
DPWI must regularly publish updates on cases, arrests, convictions, and progress.
5. National, public-led infrastructure recovery plan
It focuses on job creation, public ownership, and rebuilding technical capacity within the state rather than outsourcing.
Saftu’s request
• Extend crackdown to all states, including municipalities with the most severe infrastructure collapse.
• Take immediate action against the water tanker mafia that robs communities and steals public resources.
• Swift and harsh sentences for those found guilty.
• Ensure safe working conditions and fair wages for all construction and maintenance workers.
Infrastructure is not a privilege. it’s a right
When infrastructure collapses, it is the workers and the poor who suffer.
• Unsafe and expensive transportation
• Water shortage
• Power outage
• Unemployment
• Collapse of public services.
SAFTU is calling on governments to combine anti-mafia efforts with a major public sector-led infrastructure renewal program that creates decent jobs, rebuilds local economies and restores dignity to communities.
The fight against the construction mafia is a fight to reclaim South Africa’s future.
SAFTU stands ready to bring together workers, communities, and all progressive forces to ensure public infrastructure serves the people, not criminals, profiteers, and corrupt officials.
A statement was issued on behalf of SAFTU General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.
For media inquiries, please contact our public relations representatives in the following countries:
newton mask
Newtonm@saftu.org.za
0785164094
media person
Ashib Diani
0719019564
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