DURBAN - Three incidents of violence at construction sites, including being threatened at gunpoint, have prompted KwaZulu-Natal Transport, Community Safety and Liaison MEC Peggy Nkonyeni to condemn threats against staff by business forums.
Nkonyeni condemned the ongoing threats and acts of criminality targeted towards the department by so-called business forums.
Nkonyeni asked police to increase vigilance and move swiftly to arrest these groups of criminals who are delaying service delivery. She also appealed to members of the communities to protect departmental properties and employees.
“This thuggish behaviour is delaying service delivery and is affecting the infrastructure roll-out in the province. No one has a right to stop the government from doing its work. Operation Siyazenzela is aimed at responding to the service delivery challenges, especially in areas that were ravaged by heavy rains.
“We will not be stopped in our quest to fast–track service delivery. We are engaging with the police to move with speed in arresting the culprits and securing the departmental staff and equipment in construction sites. Communities must stand up and defend the departmental feet and staff working in their areas,” said Nkonyeni.
The department said since last week, staff have reported three incidents of violence at construction sites, including staff being threatened at gunpoint. Staff had to flee and suspend all operations fearing for their lives.
The threats came while the department was rolling out a massive infrastructure programme, “Operation Siyazenzela”, which is aimed at maintaining gravel roads. The programme is part of building internal capacity of the department, building reliance in the government's infrastructure and rapidly attending to issues of service delivery.
The department added that in some areas where the departmental yellow plant was deployed, police had to be called to intervene as the so-called business forums were threatening staff at gunpoint.
The department was also considering additional security measures to protect staff and its plant against these criminal elements.
Last month, a group of armed suspects, believed to be from a business forum, forced their way onto a Durban High Court construction site and chased workers and contractors away.
Daily News