DA condemns MEC's negotiations with criminals

7 July 2023

The Democratic Alliance (DA) strongly condemns the recent decision by MEC for Public Public Works, Sipho Nkosi to negotiate with criminal construction mafia syndicates rather than allowing them to face the full consequences of breaking the law.

These negotiations with criminals is not only disgraceful but clearly shows that confusion reigns in the ANC. Despite the recent move, by Minister for Public Works and Infrastructure, Sihle Zikalala, who has tasked the South African Police Service’s serious organised crime unit (Hawks) to begin dealing with these business forums that have gouged out the provincial budget, costing the taxpayer millions of Rands in delayed projects, MEC Nkosi has gone ahead in the totally opposite direction by choosing to meet and negotiate with criminals.

What possible reason could there be for government to negotiate with criminals that hold construction companies to ransom, bringing projects to a halt and demanding up to 30% just to allow these projects to continue… It elicits questions on possible political linkages, similar to the illegal occupants in the government owned parliamentary housing in Ulundi.

Instead of evicting the illegal occupants, by applying for a high court order, the ANC government chose to drag their feet for two decades. This trend by the ANC of co-operating with criminals and negotiating their demands is both infuriating to those in the construction industry and discouraging to ordinary law abiding citizens who uphold the rule of law.

MEC Sipho Nkosi is the third MEC, so far during this term, that has been appointed by the ANC to be the champion of the Public Works and Human Settlements departments; both failing departments. Any hope that he would be able to bring about positive change in these departments is now long gone.

It is not just flood damaged infrastructure repair or government building refurbishments that are being stopped but also the delivery of housing to thousands of people that continue to wait for years.

The DA in the National Assembly has written to the national Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime investigations (Hawks) requesting him to use his authority in terms of the South African Police Service Act to designate the construction mafia and their extortionate modus operandi as a national priority crime. Groups behind the construction mafias must know that their activities are illegal and will face criminal liability for their actions.

The DA will write to the MEC expressing our outright condemnation of this attempt to undermine legal authority by negotiating with criminals.

As we approach 2024, KZN citizens are reminded that only the DA believes in upholding the rule of law. Voters will have the opportunity to bring about accountable, open governance that respects and dignifies the laws of our country.

Issued by Marlaine Nair, DA KZN Spokesperson on Public Works, 7 July 2023