Construction mafia crackdown: Cele reports more arrests

Police Minister Bheki Cele says they are on the heels of the construction mafia which continues to pose a threat to the economy, reporting that more than 61 suspects have been arrested and charged for their involvement in extortion related crimes.

Cele said the arrests were part of efforts by the police to deal decisively with the construction mafia as it continues to pose a threat to business and the economy of the country.

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Police arrest more than 61 suspects

He made the remarks during the release of the quarterly crime statistic on Friday, adding that from April to date, more than 61 suspects linked to these extortions were arrested.

Cele said the most recent operation was the arrest of 12 suspects attempted to disrupt a R320 million housing project during a takedown operation in Toekomsrus in Randfontein.

“A group calling themselves Toekomsrus Business Forum attempted to disrupt a R320 million housing project demanding a 30 % stake in the project, the police swift response led to the arrest of these twelve suspects with two firearms confiscated,” he said.

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The Western Cape was also making significant strides in dismantling and taking down those behind the 30% construction mafia grouping, where projects were delayed as a result of acts of criminality, Cele said.

Construction mafia ‘kingpins’ appearing in court on various charges

“Amongst the many arrested include the Kingpins which include Ralph Stanfield and his wife Nicole Johnson and three others, Nafiz Modack who is the leader of the Terrible Westsiders gang, and seventeen others are in custody for gang related activities and the murder of the late Lieutenant Colonel Kinnear as well as the attempted murder of a local attorney, William Booth and the father of a Hawks investigator,” he said.

These suspects are currently appearing in court on various charges linked to18 cases such as murder, corruption, intimidation, extortion and fraud, the police minister said three have already been found guilty.

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“Yanga Nyalara commonly known as Bara is also in custody, he was arrested in July 2023 with five others for extortion related mass murders involving twenty four bodies that were found in the greater Khayelitsha Precinct

Lungi Arnold Madolo, also known as Fire, was involved in the killing of Deputy Chairperson of CPF in Gugulethu, Ms Guffy was traced and arrested in Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape. Bonke Makalala who is a leader in Santaco Western Cape is also in custody, he was arrested in December 2023 for taxi violence related activities,” Cele said.

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