The South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) is calling for decisive action to protect workers from escalating intimidation and violence.

This comes after increasing threats and harassment faced by civil engineering professionals.

IOL reported that provinces such as KZN, Eastern Cape and the Western Cape have been battling protection fee syndicates and construction mafia syndicates that has led to several deaths.

Speaking at the South African Council for the Quantity Surveying Profession in Durban, Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson acknowledged the severe obstacles that the construction industry currently faces.

He pointed out that issues like public sector procurement inefficiencies, criminal activity on construction sites, and rising corruption not only compromise the efficiency and timelines of projects but also damage public trust in the sector.

Macpherson said: ‘’it is no secret that the construction industry is under pressure. From the disruption caused by the so-called ‘construction mafia’ to the impact of competitive fee tendering and the inefficiencies within public sector procurement, these challenges hinder our ability to deliver the infrastructure South Africa so desperately needs.“

He stated that the quantity surveying profession represented the technical expertise and the ethical backbone that can help the government overcome these hurdles and build a future where infrastructure drives economic growth, creates jobs, and improves quality of life.

‘’This is simply unacceptable. We will never be able to attract additional infrastructure investment, and turn the country into a construction site, while this lawlessness continues.

“As minister, I am committed to a vision that sees South Africa becoming a construction site, bustling with new projects, opportunities, and cranes filling our skyline,” he said.

Recent reports highlight a growing climate of fear within South Africa’s construction sector, where professionals often find themselves at the mercy of criminal syndicates.

SAICE said this situation is exacerbated by a lack of robust, anonymous reporting mechanisms for those facing threats, creating a moral and ethical dilemma for civil engineers who are forced to choose between personal safety and their professional responsibilities.

During the SAICE Ethics Imbizo that took place last month, panelists emphasised the urgent need for a unified stance against these dangers, with the SAICE Code of Ethics underscoring the commitment to public safety and welfare.

The code mandates members to take reasonable steps to minimize risks associated with their work, prioritising safety throughout project lifecycles.

“It’s time for decision-makers, industry leaders, SAICE stakeholders and government to speak up and take a stand against intimidation and harassment so that our members are offered the tangible support they need when faced with threats to their lives,” said the panel at the Imbizo.

Yet, as intimidation and coercion become a more commonplace, adhering to these ethical standards has become a near-impossible task for many.

The institution’s leadership argued for clear anti-intimidation policies and stronger protective measures for whistleblowers, stressing that these supports are essential for safeguarding public safety and preserving the integrity of the civil engineering profession.

SAICE believes the solution should come from a collaborative approach from various key stakeholders, industry leaders and government departments. SAICE frequently collaborates with various regulatory and industry bodies as well as organisations focused on construction safety.

These collaborations help identify trends that may increase risks and promote sharing lessons learnt from past incidents to improve future practices.

IOL Politics

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