Durban: The signing of the Durban Declaration between the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure and stakeholders involved in the fight against ‘construction mafias’, has been welcomed by Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson. The department and the South African Police Service (SAPS), the National Treasury, and the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) have agreed to work together to bring an end to criminal disruption at construction sites.

According to South African Government News Agency, the Durban Declaration was signed by the Minister, Deputy Minister of Police Cassel Mathale, Deputy Minister of Finance Ashor Sarupen, and CIDB chairperson Khulile Nzo, at the end of the National Construction Summit on Crime-Free Construction at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre on Tuesday afternoon. The declaration marks a historic partnership and commitment between different sectors of society to combat the so-called construction mafia and ensure that infrastr
ucture projects continue uninterrupted.

‘It binds sectors to implement certain interventions to discourage criminality at construction sites, reduce opportunities for disruptions to occur, and hold the guilty accountable,’ Macpherson stated. He emphasized that resolving these disruptions is crucial for attracting additional investments to grow the economy and create jobs, aligning with the Government of National Unity’s priority on job creation.

The Durban Declaration outlines a series of interventions planned for implementation over the next year to address construction site disruptions. These include strengthening construction industry legislation, implementing development policies, improving data and reporting systems, enhancing rapid response for arrests and prosecutions, developing frameworks for social facilitation in projects, supporting emerging enterprises and skills development, and establishing collaborative platforms for stakeholders.

Macpherson expressed optimism about the future, stating, ‘By
the time the next National Construction Summit takes place next year, I look forward to reporting that meaningful progress was achieved in these focus areas and that there has been a significant decline in the number of construction disruptions reported. By working together, we will be able to bring an end to the construction mafia and build a better South Africa. Together, let’s build South Africa.’