Headline: ANC Kwa-Zulu Natal Provincial Chairperson Addresses Construction Mafia Issue, Sparking Controversy and Debate
Subheadline: Siboniso Duma Claims Construction Mafia Lacks Black Representation, Stirs Questions on Cartel’s Influence in the Economy
Date: August 2, 2023
Location: Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
Siboniso Duma, the African National Congress (ANC) Provincial Chairperson in Kwa-Zulu Natal, has broken his silence on the construction mafia that has been wreaking havoc in the province. Responding to recent reports of the mafia extorting exorbitant sums of money from contractors and resorting to threats for non-compliance, Duma’s comments have left many puzzled and questioning the true nature of the cartel.
Addressing the issue, Duma made a striking statement, claiming that the construction mafia comprises individuals devoid of black representation. According to the ANC heavyweight, this clandestine group operates invisibly and controls the province’s economy without any overt hegemony.
“In South Africa, there are no black people in the mafia. The mafia is a cartel. These are people who are invisible and unknown, yet they wield significant control over the economy,” Duma asserted.
Duma further elucidated that certain actions mistakenly associated with the construction mafia may be mere “new money tendencies,” citing instances where individuals spend relatively smaller sums of R5,000 as not indicative of the mafia’s activities. His comments pointed to the difficulty in combatting this cartel due to its elusive and influential nature.
The ANC Provincial Chairperson challenged the perception that individuals seen invading construction sites with guns are part of the mafia. He argued that these visible entities are merely thugs, diverting attention from the real power players who remain unseen and unreachable.
In the wake of Duma’s statements, social critics expressed divided opinions. While some criticized the ANC comrade for engaging in semantics and evading concrete solutions to address the problem, others questioned the lack of black representation in the alleged construction mafia. Calls were made for Duma to reveal the identities of the hidden players if he indeed knows them.
One social critic pointed out, “He is arguing semantics instead of coming up with ways to deal with the problem at hand. KwaZulu-Natal ANC has the worst batch of leaders currently.”
Another critic questioned the essence of Duma’s statement, saying, “So the problem is not that there is a construction mafia, but that there are no black people in the construction mafia? If he knows them, why not name them? Is it people who give backhands to the ANC Kwa-Zulu Natal now demanding their payback?”
The construction mafia issue has been a contentious topic in Kwa-Zulu Natal, with reports of intimidation, extortion, and violence affecting the construction industry. Duma’s comments have added another layer of complexity to the discussion, sparking debates about the true nature of the cartel and the challenges faced in tackling its influence.
As public discourse continues, stakeholders await further developments and potential actions from the ANC and provincial authorities to address the construction mafia issue and its alleged invisible leadership.
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