LYDENBURG, Mpumalanga — Outraged residents in Lydenburg have taken to the streets to protest against an alleged “construction mafia” dictating local business and job opportunities, prompting Mpumalanga MEC for Public Works Thulasizwe Thomo to firmly deny any collusion or provincial blind eye to the claims. The demonstrations have intensified calls for immediate provincial government intervention to secure fair access to community projects.
During the protests, a community leader outlined severe grievances, alleging that cartels are monopolizing construction sectors with the alleged conspiracy of local politicians. The community leader also claimed that the project was initially valued at R179 million, but recent communications from the MEC’s office stated the value was R119 million, sparking accusations that R60 million has gone missing.
Addressing these allegations directly, MEC Thulasizwe Thomo stated that the provincial government is not aware of any mafias dictating terms on public projects. He referenced a broad community meeting held on August 18, attended by nearly a thousand people, where he addressed three specific issues raised by residents: disputes over the contractor’s site establishment location, demands for transparent processes in hiring a Community Liaison Officer (CLO), and allegations of construction mafias.
Thomo clarified that the government cannot be dictated to by communities regarding site establishment, as contractors must follow prescribed legal and procedural guidelines. Regarding the CLO position, he emphasized that the process was entirely transparent. The project steering committee advertised the role for two weeks, conducted interviews, and appointed a candidate who successfully met all register requirements. He noted that when a delegation of five elderly women visited his office yesterday to raise concerns about the CLO, no mention of a construction mafia was made.
Contradicting the narrative of an external mafia, Thomo revealed that the disruption is actually an internal dispute between two community groups from different wards, both vying for control over the project. He identified that known ring leaders are driving this conflict.
“We cannot be a government that is held at ransom by people who want to hijack a project,” Thomo stated, adding that he refuses to negotiate with individuals masquerading as business people to enrich themselves while being funded by external, hidden actors. He confirmed that the matter has been escalated to the provincial MEC responsible for safety to ensure the project can proceed and uplift local living standards.
When pressed on accusations that officials within the Department of Public Works might be colluding with these groups, Thomo issued a stark denial. He affirmed that his team has been hands-on over the past two days, working alongside the local mayor to resolve the issues. He challenged anyone with claims of collusion to approach the South African Police Service (SAPS), open a formal case, and present concrete evidence to substantiate their allegations.
Finally, Thomo addressed the financial discrepancies raised by the community. He clarified that the total project value is approximately R137 million, not the R179 million or R119 million figures circulating. While he confirmed that funds have indeed left the department’s coffers, he firmly dismissed the claim that R60 million is missing. He explained that the disbursed amount is strictly a standard, prescribed percentage allocated for initial site establishment, machine mobilization, and resource allocation necessary to kick off any infrastructure project.
Thomo concluded by reaffirming the province’s commitment, led by the Premier, to fight construction mafias head-on, and reiterated the department’s readiness to continue working with the genuine community to deliver sustainable public services.
