Under the Concrete Cloak: Exposing the Construction Mafia's Hold in South Africa's Eastern Cape Industry

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the threat posed by the construction mafia in the Eastern Cape construction industry, focusing on its unethical behaviour, impact, and effectiveness of existing regulatory measures. The research aims to provide an in?depth understanding of the construction mafia's operations, identify unethical practices, and evaluate the current regulatory framework's effectiveness. A qualitative research approach within the interpretivism paradigm was employed, utilising semi?structured interviews with construction managers in Mtata, East London, and Gqeberha, South Africa. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used to select participants, and the data were analysed using thematic narrative analysis. The study identified the construction mafia as a well-organised, profit-driven entity engaging in illicit practices, including resource demands, employment manipulation, and contract interference. Unethical behaviours documented include intimidation, financial misconduct, exploitation of workers, and compromised work quality, contributing to systemic corruption. Regulatory measures such as the Preferential Procurement Regulation (PPR), the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (PPFA), and Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) regulations, while essential, are often hindered by lack of clarity, political interference, and external influences. Limitations include focusing on a single province and a specific subset of participants, which may not capture the full scope of the issue across South Africa. Future research should explore similar regional dynamics and investigate different regulatory approaches. The research highlights the necessity for proactive measures, enhanced collaboration, and robust regulatory frameworks. It calls for stricter enforcement of existing regulations, improved transparency, and stronger community engagement to mitigate the influence of the construction mafia, potentially leading to a more ethical and stable construction environment.