Research Article

Examining the Insurgency of Construction Mafia in the Republic of South Africa: Where Things went Wrong?

Tumiso Mokhomole 1 *
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1 Forensic Investigations Directorate, Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, Pretoria 0001, South Africa* Corresponding Author
International Journal of Social Sciences and Artistic Innovations, 6(1), 2026, 32-44, https://doi.org/10.35745/ijssai2026v06.01.0004
Submitted: 27 January 2025, Published: 30 March 2026
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ABSTRACT

This article seeks to examine the insurgency of the construction mafia in the Republic of South African and the impact of this criminal network on the economy and service delivery over the past decade since its insurgency. Considering the damage caused in relation to the delay of Key Critical Infrastructure to the economy, violence and other crimes associated with this gangsterism, the state (South African government) has failed dismally to prosecute as well as rooting out these mafias within the construction environment. The descriptive and qualitative research approach were employed to gather data and detailed the insurgence of the construction mafia in South Africa. Data with purpose was generated from both primary through observation and secondary sources. The study found that construction mafias have disrupted several mega construction projects in Kwa-Zulu Natal, Gauteng, Western Cape, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and North West provinces. Recently, many efforts have been made by organisations such as Business Against Crime South Africa (BACSA) and recently joined by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) in collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to crack down on the construction mafia. The study recommends that the State must clarify the 30% subcontracting of the work to local Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) by the appointed construction companies, as it is used by disreputable organisations such as Delangokubona to run a mock.
Keywords: Construction mafia, Infrastructure, Intimidation, Economy, Extortion, Projects, Violence

CITATION (APA)

Mokhomole, T. (2026). Examining the Insurgency of Construction Mafia in the Republic of South Africa: Where Things went Wrong?. International Journal of Social Sciences and Artistic Innovations, 6(1), 32-44. https://doi.org/10.35745/ijssai2026v06.01.0004

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