Pretoria – The Infrastructure Built Anti-Corruption Forum (IBACF) has expressed approval of the advancements made by the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other law enforcement agencies in combating the construction mafia. The IBACF, established in 2020, is dedicated to overseeing infrastructure projects and implementing measures to deter and identify corruption.
The forum, comprising civil society, representatives from the built environment, and various government arms, including the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), has been vigilant in its anti-corruption efforts. SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago reported significant progress in addressing illegal activities in the construction sector, with numerous arrests and investigations leading to various forms of consequence management, including asset recovery, disciplinary action, and criminal prosecutions.
According to South African Government News Agency, the National Priority Committee on Extortion and Violence at Economic Sites recently informed the IBACF that the battle against fraud, corruption, and maladministration in the construction industry is making notable progress. He highlighted the arrest of Ralph Stanfield and his wife, Nicole Johnson, as significant developments in this ongoing effort. The couple’s arrest relates to alleged intimidation and violence at government housing construction sites in Cape Town, with Johnson’s company subsequently being awarded contracts to complete the abandoned projects.
Kganyago explained that the construction mafia typically involves extortion groups demanding protection fees from construction companies or a share of the cost of infrastructure projects, often leading to mafia-affiliated individuals being hired on-site. This criminal activity has had a substantial impact on the sector, with research indicating that up to R63 billion worth of projects were delayed or canceled due to these tactics.
The SIU has called for community involvement in reporting illegal activities on construction sites. The IBACF urges proactive community engagement to inform residents about ongoing projects, legitimate subcontracting and employment opportunities, and to report any criminal activities like violence or extortion that threaten these projects. Crimes can be reported to SAPS stations, the National Anti-Corruption Hotline, the Presidential Hotline, or the SIU Hotline.
Kganyago emphasized that the SAPS’s report on arrests and convictions should serve as a warning about the consequences of engaging in illegal activities within the construction sector. He expressed gratitude to whistleblowers and law enforcement agencies for their pivotal role in addressing these issues.