The Hard Hat Professional

Jennifer Smit believes the construction mafia, is influenced by social issues. Initially, legitimate demands for local procurement and transformation .However, over time, the mafia has resorted to violent behaviors such as carrying guns, implementing lockouts, and obstructing roads. This shift in behavior has become a defining characteristic of the construction mafia. The expansion of the construction mafia syndicates across South Africa is causing concern. Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has called for increased police protection of construction sites. Earlier, developers withdrew from the Cape's largest housing project due to extortion threats.   Jennifer Smit, Director and Head of Construction & Engineering at Werksmans Attorneys, says it appears the extortion is not being strategically addressed through legislation or targeted policing. Companies being extorted usually take the legal route as a last resort. Police in remote areas may fail to act due to fear of intimidati