Five men are seen lying on the ground on their stomachs Five suspects were arrested at an Umzinto construction site on Wednesday. Picture: SAPS
Five suspects were arrested for allegedly intimidating workers and for extortion at a construction site at Umzinto on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, on Wednesday.
The arrests occurred at a skills centre where renovations are being carried out. The suspects allegedly disrupted work at the site and demanded that it be halted.
KZN police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed the arrests.
“The suspects were duly arrested and charged with intimidation and extortion.”
He said investigations revealed that the suspects had visited the site twice in November, issuing threats and demanding a meeting with project leaders before returning on Wednesday.
Netshiunda said the swift police response ensured the apprehension of suspects, aged between 30 and 52.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Vulamehlo Magistrate’s Court on December 6.
The country has seen a rise in extortion cases in the construction sector, often linked to organised crime syndicates known as "construction mafias."
These groups target construction projects, demanding a share of contracts, protection fees, or employment for their affiliates. They use intimidation tactics, including threats of violence, to disrupt operations.
KZN has been identified as a hotspot for such activity. According to recent reports, these syndicates have cost South Africa an estimated R63 billion over five years due to project delays and increased security expenses.
In November 2024, Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson signed the Durban Declaration, a multi-stakeholder initiative aimed at eradicating these mafia groups.
During the National Construction Summit, Minister Macpherson described these groups as "enemies of the state" and stressed the need for zero tolerance.
The initiative includes enhanced policing, regulatory measures, and collaboration with the construction industry.
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