R10k bail granted to KZN construction mafia

Construction Mafia

Cape Town — Five men arrested in connection to construction mafia activities in Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN) were granted R10 000 bail each and will be released from custody.

The five suspects – Andile Jiyane (29), Elias Phetha (45), Nhlanhla Makhathini (37), Sbonelo Khanyile (35), and Thabani Nkomo (35) – made an appearance at the Camperdown Magistrate’s Court on Friday for the outcome of their bail applications.

The group faced charges of extortion after demanding that progress be halted on the Msunduzi Local Municipality’s bridge project unless they were employed on the construction site, The Citizen reported.

According to the defence advocate, Kevin Chetty argued that his clients had the right to be released on bail and pointed out that the investigating officer, Sizwe Molapo, failed to give specific details or justify concerns about potential witness interference.

The court granted the suspects bail, ruling that the accused had successfully demonstrated their eligibility for release in the interests of justice. They face stringent bail conditions, all five men are required to relocate to alternative addresses provided to the investigating officer. They must also report to the nearest police station once a week.

Molapo alleged that a group of 30 people invaded the construction site on 22 August and demanded that they be given the contract for security reasons and be offered the jobs, or they would shut the site down. They allegedly also threatened the site manager.
The group allegedly returned the next day, instilling fear in workers and the community at large.

Magistrate Brian Ngcobo said that the applicants proved it was in the interest of justice for all of them to be released on bail.

The community were not expecting the five men to get bail but was shocked at the amount as the men were unemployed and impoverished. He said the community was scrambling to get money together to secure the release.

“It’s the first time hearing that someone who toyi-toyis would be dealt with this harshly,” Phasika Vilakazi said.

In their bail application, the group said it could afford R500, but the court deemed that fee too low. Vilakazi said the accused were not happy being branded as “construction mafia” as they were not business people. Vilakazi said their crime was wanting to ensure locals were hired to work on the bridge project.

“Some have even asked me why am I involved in this matter as a religious person. My answer has always been that I like to see things being done fairly.”

Vilakazi said members of the community were contributing R20 to get people home and hoped that the suspects would be freed by Friday.

“Some of them are not working. If there were indeed mafias, then they would have had that money. We wanted to ensure that the case of our brothers is not jeopardised in any way. We were all there before their arrest because we wanted to see that people get hired properly,” he added.

The matter will return to court on 25 October.

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Compiled by Matthew Petersen

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