Time has come to fight back against construction mafias: Mashatile
Deputy President Paul Mashatile says the government will intensify the fight against the so-called construction mafias.
In December, the Special Investigation Unit confirmed that the 712 cases referred for investigation by SAPS had resulted in 722 arrests and 52 convictions.
Mashatile addressed a conference tasked with reviewing the Criminal Procedure Act in Boksburg on Tuesday morning.
Mashatile said it is time for law enforcement to do more to safeguard the infrastructure industry.
"We cannot overlook the issues endangering our economy, particularly in the construction sector. Murderous construction mafias have brought many companies to their knees, and we must fight back to safeguard this industry.
“A concerted effort from all is necessary to unravel the complex web of construction site disruptions, which endangers lives and impedes the government's objective of transforming the nation into a massive construction site that generates employment and expands the economy.
“In this regard, the Economic Infrastructure Task Teams are actively working to combat non-ferrous metal theft, essential and critical infrastructure crimes, and illegal activities in mining. They emphasise the need to enhance existing interventions to safeguard economic infrastructure, with a particular focus on Eskom, Transnet, and (passenger rail agency) Prasa.”
Mashatile said the government has put the fight against crime and corruption on top of its agenda.
"We are tackling significant commercial and serious organised crime through the developed Anti-Corruption Task Team and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Operational Committee, currently known as the National Priority Crimes Operational Committee under the South African Police Service Act.
“Through the Integrated Task Force, we are coordinating the implementation of 205 recommendations for criminal investigations made by the Zondo State Capture Commission. As it stands, three convictions have been secured, and 11 cases are currently before the court relating to 36 recommendations. The remaining recommendations are still under investigation," added Mashatile.
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