Programme Overview
Programme Overview
Overview of the Programme
The National Construction Summit on Crime Free Construction Site features several special sessions aimed at fostering meaningful connections and deeper engagement among participants. These sessions are designed to encourage collaboration, share insights, and explore impactful and sustainable solutions to the challenges facing the construction industry.
Through these specially designed sessions, the summit aims to create an inclusive environment that promotes networking, collaboration, and the sharing of ideas, ultimately contributing to the advancement of the construction industry in South Africa.
Attendees at the summit can look forward to keynote addresses and impactful topics from prominent government leaders and distinguished speakers who are committed to addressing the pressing issues of site disruptions and construction extortion in South Africa.
Honourable Dean Macpherson
DPWI Minister
The DPWI Minister will participate in the opening keynote address, delivering the issue of extortion in South Africa’s construction industry, which is disrupting critical infrastructure projects and inflating costs. He will discuss government efforts to combat these criminal activities, including the establishment of specialised task forces, legislative changes, and the need for collaboration between the public and private sectors to restore integrity and development in the industry. The Minister will join the panel discussion focused on security measures and their impact on construction projects.
Honourable Sihle Zikalala
DPWI Deputy Minister
Joining the Ministerial address, the DPWI Deputy Minister, Honourable Sihle Zikalala, will deliver the purpose of the summit, where he will outline the key objectives of the gathering, emphasizing the importance of creating secure, crime-free environments for construction projects. His leadership at this event will set the tone for discussions on how to address crime, promote best practices, and foster an environment of collaboration in the construction industry.
Honourable Senzo Mchunu
SAPS Minister
The Minister of Police will be addressing the widespread issue of extortion in South Africa, particularly focusing on construction extorsion that is disrupting various sectors, including construction. He will outline the government’s ongoing efforts, including the establishment of Economic Infrastructure Task Teams, cooperation with local governments, and the involvement of private security and community policing in tackling this crime, as well as the importance of improving crime intelligence and strengthening prosecution efforts. The Minister will join the panel discussion focused on security measures and their impact on construction projects.
Honourable Enoch Godongwana
Finance Minister
The Minister of Finance will focus on how the misuse of public procurement laws, particularly the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (PPPFA), has enabled construction mafias to exploit the system and disrupt vital infrastructure projects, costing the economy billions. He will discuss the newly enacted Public Procurement Act, which aims to support the emerging sector and streamline infrastructure delivery and emphasise the urgent need for public-private collaboration to tackle extortion and restore confidence in the construction industry, which is crucial for South Africa’s economic growth and job creation. The Minister will join the panel discussion focused on security measures and their impact on construction projects.
Honourable Thembi Simelane
Minister of Justice
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development in South Africa will join the panel discussion, where she will bring her legal expertise and deep understanding of justice and governance to the conversation. Her participation will focus on the intersection of law enforcement, public policy, and the construction industry, particularly in relation to addressing crime on construction sites. Minister Simelane will contribute to discussions on the legal measures needed to ensure that construction sites remain secure, the rights of workers are upheld, and legal frameworks support the creation of a crime-free environment for infrastructure development.
Mr Thamsanqa Ntuli
KZN Premier
The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) will emphasise the urgent need for collaboration between the public and private sectors to address the growing issue of extortion in the construction industry, which started in KZN but has spread nationwide. He will stress the critical importance of the construction sector for economic growth, outline the provincial government’s commitment to inclusive growth and job creation, and call for strong action against extortionists, with a focus on using the new hotline for reporting crimes and ensuring severe consequences for those involved. The Minister will join the panel discussion focused on security measures and their impact on construction projects.
Cllr Cyril Xaba
eThekwini Metro Municipality Mayor
Councillor Cyril Xaba will have the honour of delivering the opening and welcome address at the summit. He will highlight the critical importance of ensuring that construction sites are safe, secure, and free from criminal activity, not only for the workers but for the broader community. With a focus on promoting best practices, collaboration between the public and private sectors, and fostering a culture of safety within the construction industry, Cllr Xaba will set the tone for an important conversation on how the sector can contribute to crime reduction and sustainable development
Mr Martin Meyer
KZN MEC Public Works and Infrastructure
Mr Martin Meyer will serve as the Programme Director, guiding the discussions and setting the agenda for a robust dialogue on the role of safety in the construction industry. In this capacity, he will lead key conversations on reducing crime on construction sites, creating safer working environments, and strengthening partnerships between government, the private sector, and the community.
Mr Khulile Nzo
cidb Board Chairperson
Mr Nzo will have the honour of delivering the vote of thanks and closure of the event. In this closing address, the Chairperson will express appreciation to all participants, speakers, and panellists for their valuable contributions and insights throughout the summit. He will also reflect on the key takeaways from the discussions, reinforcing the collective commitment to ensuring crime-free construction sites and promoting safety, collaboration, and best practices in the sector.
