The much-anticipated R 400 million road upgrade project in Cape Town has hit a major snag due to the interference of a construction cartel, leading to significant delays and frustrations for both authorities and residents alike.

The widening of A Z Berman Drive, crucial for the expansion of the MyCiTi bus service into Mitchells Plain, came to an abrupt halt on February 28th. This pause in construction was prompted by contractors being forcefully evicted from the site by extortion groups associated with the construction mafia operating in the area.

The City of Cape Town’s initiative to improve transportation infrastructure through the expansion of roads, particularly aimed at enhancing the MyCiTi bus service, was envisioned to offer better mobility options for residents, especially those from low-income households, facilitating easier access to workplaces, schools, and other essential destinations.

Rob Quintas, the mayoral committee member responsible for urban mobility, expressed concerns over the ongoing disruptions caused by local development forums and their members. These disruptions have not only forced contractors off-site but have also left them feeling intimidated and harassed, hampering progress on the project.

In response to the escalating situation, the City of Cape Town has sought legal recourse by filing for an interdict against the construction mafia, aiming to regain control over the affected construction sites and resume the much-needed road upgrades.

The infiltration of criminal elements, such as construction mafias, into South Africa’s construction industry has posed a significant challenge in recent years. Originating around a decade ago in KwaZulu-Natal, these illicit networks have since spread nationwide, wreaking havoc and causing both loss of life and economic damage.

Reports from Daily Maverick highlight the modus operandi of these construction mafias, which includes tactics such as extortion, violence, intimidation, and disruption to further their illicit objectives. In Cape Town alone, between January 2023 and February 2024, there have been 96 reported incidents of attempted extortion targeting ongoing construction projects, resulting in numerous delays and project standstills.

To combat this menace, law enforcement agencies have stepped up efforts to apprehend individuals associated with construction mafias. Police Minister Bheki Cele revealed that since April 2023, over 61 suspects linked to these criminal networks have been arrested nationwide. Additionally, in the past four years, 27 individuals have been convicted for their involvement in construction mafia activities, collectively receiving sentences totaling 43 years of imprisonment.

The challenges posed by construction mafias continue to disrupt vital infrastructure projects, underscoring the urgent need for concerted efforts from authorities to root out these criminal networks and ensure the timely completion of essential development initiatives for the benefit of communities across Cape Town and beyond.