Taking a bold stand against extortionists and the construction mafia, Public Works and Infrastructure MEC Martin Meyer said, while the war is not over, KZN is not backing down.

He was speaking during the first Annual Report to Citizens convention in Richards Bay on Thursday, where the department presented its full performance report for 2024/25.

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This first-of-its-kind initiative marks a deliberate effort by Meyer to open the department to public scrutiny, provide a platform for engagement, and give a clear reflection of performance.

Acting HoD Dr Vish Govender said, “This is a milestone for the province, where citizens can engage and question officials. We can confirm that in under two years, the tide has turned in King Cetshwayo District.

“Currently, bricklayers are on-site at Bethesda Hospital in uMkhanyakude District, dysfunctional air-conditioning units at Ngwelezana Hospital are being repaired, and we are racing to finish the maternity ward at Empangeni.. In addition, in the last eight months, contractors have been paid timeously.”

Meyer said there were great advances in the department, including clamping down on the construction mafia.

“A few months ago, it was the construction mafia that dominated the media. A year ago, there were over 60 incidents of project disruptions per month, now there are fewer than 10 in a year.

“Late 2025, we saw over 770 cases of construction-related extortion reported countrywide; 241 arrests [have been] made and 176 convicted already, relating to these crimes.

“It has been one year that none of our projects have been disrupted, thanks to the hard-working department officials and our contractors that took a brave stand with SAPS to ensure this ends,” said Meyer.

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