Deafening silence from KwaDukuza Officials on construction mafia
13 July 2023
KwaDukuza Municipality turns a deaf ear to the DA's plea for intervention in alleged work stoppages by the "construction mafia", project blockages by sub-contractors, and community unrest.
This week the MEC for Human Settlements and Public Works, Sipho Nkosi was in KwaDukuza, condemning disruptions on two human settlement projects by sub-contractors. This is the very same MEC that had planned on meeting with these construction mafia.
It is evident that the ANC deem it acceptable to negotiate with criminals who are holding the construction industry and projects of national interest to ransom.
Following our previous correspondence to Acting Executive Director for Civil Engineering, Fisokuhle Mhlongo and to the Municipal Manager, Nhlanhla Mdakane, we have subsequently sent further correspondence requesting the following:
- Which specific projects have been disrupted due to work stoppages by the “construction mafia” and community unrest? Have the Municipal Manager and the relevant ED’s engaged law enforcement agencies on the significant threat to KDM projects by the “construction mafia”
- What internal resources, i.e., Community Safety officials and contracted security services, i.e., Pro Secure, are being utilized to protect construction sites or the immediate surrounding areas? Please provide the financial implications thereof.
- There are allegations that a municipal official is allegedly linked to the disruption of work on the Hulett Bridge project. Is the Municipal Manager confident that these allegations have been adequately tested and is there an active investigation underway?
The Municipal Manager and the relevant Executive Directors must ensure that acts of thuggery are quelled immediately. Their refusal to respond to elected councillors is setting a precarious precedent where both officials and criminal elements have become politically untouchables.
The DA in KwaDukuza will not allow this blatant abuse of power from officials and politically connected individuals. The citizens of KwaDukuza deserve better.
Issued by Privi Makhan, DA KwaDukuza Whip, 13 July 2023
