Construction mafia | Safety of Cape Town workers under threat

CAPE TOWN - The construction mafia continues to disrupt projects in Cape Town.

The Western Cape Property Development Forum believes it's targeting projects in disadvantaged areas.

Those who've won tenders and workers have been attacked.

READ: Cape Town dealing with extortion and criminality at construction sites

The Forum's chai, Deon van Zyl, says this is the prime reason why the construction sector has contracted.

"The construction industry has shrunk 25 percent over the last five years. The major reason for the shrinkage in the construction industry is at the door of government, all three spheres of government: national, provincial, and local that have not been spending their capital budgets.

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"The entities that should be keeping the construction industry very busy are the state primarily and then supported by private sector projects," Van Zyl said.

"The state has not been performing and therefore you've got thousands of labourers or artisans sitting at home.

"The construction mafia started off with people desperate for opportunities, starting to knock on people's door asking for participation."