Yesterday afternoon, we received the disturbing news of a violent and gun-toting construction mafia gang of six that held construction workers and stole 300 litres of diesel in a deep rural area of Bergville under Okhahlamba Local Municipality.
The department has invested R177 million in the rehabilitation of the main road P304. This road serves as a major link connecting Bergville to Maloti Drankensburg Park/Royal Natal Park through R74.
The road plays a vital role in stimulating rural economies for communities living under the yoke of poverty.
The devastating floods destroyed this road network, resulting in hundreds of communities being isolated as they can’t access hospitals, schools, and socio-economic centres.
With this investment, as the department, we want to ensure that P304 remains in a safe and usable condition and contributes towards the stimulation of all sectors of the economy, such as agriculture and tourism.
The robbery is the first of its kind, and the case number is CAS 17/05/2025 at the Bergville Police Station.
We are confident that KZN Police Commissioner Lt General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and his team of law enforcement agencies will apprehend the criminals.
We salute Inkosi Njabulo Miya of the Emazizini Traditional Council, the izinduna, and the whole community for their public display of anger and opposition against these criminals who are trying to derail the project.
Finally, we are encouraging anyone with information about this robbery to contact the nearest police.
There should be no place for construction mafia gangs in villages, townships, suburbs, or anywhere in KZN.
