SANDF may be called for mafias

The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) might be called on to assist government in dealing with the disruption of public infrastructure projects worth billions of rand by the construction mafia, much like it did previously to protect Eskom's power stations and assets.

- Roy Cokayne

Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson said on Tuesday the construction mafia poses a difficult problem because it creates uncertainty in government's ability to deliver projects on time and on budget - and it is a concern for investors.

“When I went to China and the United Kingdom, it was brought up repeatedly,” he said.

Macpherson was speaking at the unveiling - along with acting head of Infrastructure South Africa Mameetse Masemola - of a first-of-its-kind project preparation bid window to extensively expand infrastructure investment to accelerate economic growth and create jobs.