In recent weeks there have been several reports detailing the disturbing rise of construction mafias that have infiltrated the industry and demanded 30% of government tenders or else legitimate businesses face the threat of infrastructure being destroyed, or worse, violent intimidation.
In today’s News24 Friday Briefing, the publication has rounded up opinions from those who seek to explain how the mafia infiltrated the construction industry and what can be done to stop them. More importantly, the CEO of the Small Business Institute, John Dludlu, writes that there needs to be strong regulation of business forums as construction gangsters have begun forming business forums under the veil of legitimacy.
Meanwhile, Tom Eaton writes about how the mafia took over much of the construction industry in Italy, building infrastructure with poor materials and shoddy workmanship. In 2018, when a bridge collapsed in Genoa, the Italian government was quick to blame the mafia for the demise of the bridge that saw 43 people killed.
But subsequent investigations found there was no mob connection to the construction of the bridge and therein lies a problem writes Eaton.
He argues that the Italian government blaming the mafia for something that wasn’t its fault gives a glimpse into our future, where construction mafias become so ubiquitous that we automatically assume criminality when tragedy strikes as opposed to government ineptitude.
Here’s what else we’re reading today:
The alarm over national debt is not misplaced – Business Day (for subscribers)
Hilary Joffe writes that economists and organised business are right to sound the alarm over the national debt. While government revenue has done much better since the tabling of the budget in February, the world economy has not.
Dr Ramathuba, this calls for a diagnosis and prognosis – Times LIVE (for subscribers)
Makhudu Sefara gives his take on the Limpopo health MEC’s comments that Zimbabwean nationals are killing the healthcare system in the province. Sefara writes that the MEC comes across as being insensitive and representing an uncaring government.
Govt will never conquer crime without willing cooperation of the nation – The Citizen
Jonathan Deal writes the recent crime statistics show that police need to corporate with law-abiding citizens and civil society groups if we are to get a grip on crime in South Africa.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
