PIETERMARITZBURG - As South Africa celebrated Workers’ Day, government said it is stepping up efforts to restore confidence in the construction sector.
In Pietermaritzburg, the Department of Public Works and Construction Industry Development Board hosted a workshop aimed at connecting workers, small businesses and industry stakeholders.
The event came as government intensifies its crackdown on construction mafias and underperforming contractors.
Construction workers, small businesses and industry stakeholders gathered together in Pietermaritzburg to discuss the need to create safe, dignified jobs that allow families not just to survive, but to build sustainable futures.
Government said an infrastructure building programme remains central to driving economic growth and employment.
They continue efforts to tackle construction mafias, long seen as a major obstacle to development.
Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson said nearly two years ago, there were nearly 60 stoppages a month in KwaZulu-Natal because of the construction mafia; today, there are fewer than 10.
"We have made enormous progress through our joint efforts with both the national treasury and the SAPS to combat that scourge of construction stoppages.
"We have seen 170 people convicted for construction stoppage-related offences. And we have seen over 250 people arrested. So that coordination between us and the SAPS has really worked incredibly to see a dramatic decrease in that sort of activity.”