Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson announced that Cabinet has approved a new national framework aimed at preventing construction mafia groups from disrupting infrastructure projects.
The Integrated Social Facilitation Framework is designed to standardise government engagement with communities before construction begins, with the goal of reducing protests, extortion, vandalism and costly project delays.
"This framework is designed to address community protests before they start, project disruptions, vandalism, delays and security risks by promoting structured community participation throughout the infrastructure project cycle," Macpherson said.
"It introduces a professional and coordinated approach to social facilitation."
Macpherson said the framework builds on successful interventions in KwaZulu-Natal, where monthly disruptions at construction sites have dropped from more than 60 incidents to fewer than 10.
He added that the policy forms part of government's broader strategy to combat construction-related extortion and ensure critical infrastructure projects are completed without unlawful interference.