PROJECT: THE CRIMINAL GRIP OF SOUTH AFRICA'S EMERGING MAFIAS
- isabels39
- Jul 21
- 5 min read
PLEASE SHARE THIS PUBLIC DOCUMENT
A mafia state is defined as a system in which organised crime and political authority are so deeply entangled that the boundaries between lawful governance and criminal enterprise become indistinguishable. In such a scenario,
public institutions are manipulated to serve private criminal interests, and officials entrusted with protecting the public may instead protect syndicates, enable extortion, or directly profit from state capture.
As South Africa grapples with rising levels of corruption, political patronage, and lawlessness across key sectors,
such as water services, infrastructure development, and gambling, it raises serious concerns about whether elements of a mafia state are beginning to take root. The emergence of the Water Mafia, Construction Mafia, and Gambling Mafia is not an isolated criminal occurrence. Rather, they are the symptoms of a larger breakdown in the rule of law, where criminal networks operate with impunity, often in collusion with municipal officials, police, or political actors.
Among the most dangerous and disruptive are the so-called Water Mafia, Construction Mafia, and Gambling Mafia,
criminal networks that exploit failing infrastructure, regulatory gaps, and weak governance for profit.
These groups do not operate on the fringes of society; instead, they have become deeply entrenched in municipalities, construction sites, and informal economies, using violence, extortion, and corruption to maintain control.
Their activities drain public resources and undermine service delivery.
They also have far-reaching consequences for economic development, investor confidence, and public trust in state institutions.
SOUTH AFRICA'S WATER MAFIA:
South Africa’s water crisis is not just about infrastructure failure - it is also fueled by organised criminal actors known colloquially as the water mafia.
In many municipalities, these groups cut municipal water lines and then supply water themselves via tanker trucks, often in collusion with local officials or municipal vendors.
KEY ISSUES:
Municipal water loss from leaking infrastructure averages 35–40%, often due to neglect and contract irregularities.
Municipalities in Gauteng reportedly spent over R2.367 billion on water tanker services over five years, significantly lining these mafias' pockets.
These operations worsen public health crises (e.g. cholera outbreaks in Hammanskraal), create artificial scarcity, and deepen public mistrust.
EFFECTS:
Basic service delivery collapses, hurting poor communities disproportionately.
Public funds are diverted into private pockets, exacerbating corruption.
Confidence in local government plummets, affecting legitimacy and future service delivery efforts.
THE CONSTRUCTION MAFIA:
Described by government officials as a growing threat to infrastructure development, construction mafias, also known as "business forums", use extortion, intimidation, and violence to assert control over major projects.
Since 2019, over 180 construction projects worth R63 billion have been disrupted by extortion and intimidation efforts.
Nationally, 745 extortion-related cases and 240 arrests have been recorded since late 2024.
These groups commonly demand 30% of contract value or a share in project revenue, forcibly inserting themselves into procurement.
CRIMES AND TACTICS:
Armed invasions of construction sites.
Violence, vandalism, threats to workers and managers.
Coercion of firms to employ gang affiliates or pay “protection fees.”
RIPPLE EFFECTS:
Massive project delays and cost overruns.
Investor confidence erodes; private capital retreating.
Labour markets disrupted; jobs lost as projects halt.
Public infrastructure projects fail, deepening inequality and service inequities.
Communities that should benefit are left with half-built or cancelled developments.
Efforts to combat this include the Durban Declaration, the establishment of economic infrastructure task teams, and broader law enforcement cooperation.
THE GAMBLING MAFIA:
While less publicised, organised criminal elements within the gambling sector exploit legal and regulatory loopholes.
They engage in:
Illegal gambling dens, money laundering networks, and the manipulation of odds.
Connections to loan sharks and syndicates, facilitating broader criminal networks.
Bringing violence or debt collection through intimidation.
Though fewer official statistics exist, high-profile arrests and raids indicate its reach.
These syndicates undermine public confidence in legal gambling, distort markets, and harm vulnerable populations.
SHARED CHARACTERISTICS:
Political collusion or protection, particularly at the municipal level.
Exploitation of regulatory loopholes or policies, such as procurement quotas, for criminal gain.
Violence and intimidation as enforcement tools.
They contribute to a climate of institutional decay, economic stagnation, and growing public distrust.
EXAMPLES:
The Durban mayoral housing project was hijacked by a construction mafia, leading to fatal shootings.
The Giyani water project, where over R3 billion was spent, but communities still lack running water.
Limpopo gambling dens where syndicates operate under the cover of "community fundraising."
ROOT CAUSES AND ENABLERS OF MAFIA ACTIVITY:
Understanding why these mafias thrive is critical:
STATE CAPTURE LEGACY:
Years of political interference, weak enforcement, and corruption have created the perfect conditions for mafia-style operations to flourish.
HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT AND POVERTY:
Desperate individuals may be co-opted into criminal networks offering income, protection, or status.
MUNICIPAL DYSFUNCTION:
Especially in rural and smaller municipalities, a lack of oversight allows criminal actors to step in as "service providers."
LINKS TO BROADER CRIMINAL ECOSYSTEMS:
Many of these mafias are not isolated—they are interconnected:
The construction mafia links to taxi violence and political gangs, especially in KZN and Gauteng.
The water mafia overlaps with ANC-aligned business forums in some regions.
The gambling mafia is often connected to drug trafficking, illegal loans, and extortion syndicates.
South Africa’s water, construction, and gambling mafias each present serious threats to the country's economic and social foundations. From service delivery collapse to stalled investments and rising crime, their impact permeates all levels of society. Defeating them requires coordinated government action, civil society oversight, and empowered local communities.
Only through institutional reform, enforcement transparency, and public vigilance can these syndicates be dismantled,
and public infrastructure and trust restored.
Specialised Security Services invites the public to the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Channel.
This channel is important in delivering insights into the latest crime trends, awareness, warnings and the exposure of criminals.
How to Join the WhatsApp Channel:
1. Make sure you have the latest version of WhatsApp on your device.
2. Click on the link below to join the Mike Bolhuis Daily Projects WhatsApp Channel:
3. Follow the prompts to join the channel.
4. Make sure you click on "Follow", then click on the "bell"-icon (🔔)
CONTACT MR MIKE BOLHUIS FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY MEASURES, PROTECTION, OR AN INVESTIGATION IF NEEDED.
ALL INFORMATION RECEIVED WILL BE TREATED IN THE STRICTEST CONFIDENTIALITY AND EVERY IDENTITY WILL BE PROTECTED.
Regards,
Mike Bolhuis
Specialist Investigators into
Serious Violent, Serious Economic Crimes & Serious Cybercrimes
PSIRA Reg. 1590364/421949
Mobile: +27 82 447 6116
E-mail: mike@mikebolhuis.co.za
Fax: 086 585 4924
Follow us on Facebook to view our projects -
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: All potential clients need to be aware that owing to the nature of our work as specialist investigators there are people who have been caught on the wrong side of the law - who are trying to discredit me - Mike Bolhuis and my organisation Specialised Security Services - to get themselves off the hook. This retaliation happens on social media and creates doubt about our integrity and ability. Doubt created on social media platforms is both unwarranted and untrue. We strongly recommend that you make up your minds concerning me and our organisation only after considering all the factual information - to the exclusion of hearsay and assumptions. Furthermore, you are welcome to address your concerns directly with me should you still be unsatisfied with your conclusions. While the internet provides a lot of valuable information, it is also a platform that distributes a lot of false information. The distribution of false information, fake news, slander and hate speech constitutes a crime that can be prosecuted by law. Your own research discretion and discernment are imperative when choosing what and what not to believe.
STANDARD RULES APPLY: Upon appointment, we require a formal mandate with detailed instructions. Please take note that should you not make use of our services – you may not under any circumstance use my name or the name of my organisation as a means to achieve whatever end.
POPI ACT 4 of 2013 South Africa: Mike Bolhuis' "Specialised Security Services" falls under Section 6 of the act. Read more here: https://mikebh.link/fntdpv
SSS TASK TEAM:
Copyright © 2015- PRESENT | Mike Bolhuis Specialised Security Services | All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
Mike Bolhuis Specialised Security Services
PO Box 15075 Lynn East
Pretoria, Gauteng 0039
South Africa
Add us to your address book
THIS PUBLIC DOCUMENT WAS INTENDED TO BE SHARED, PLEASE DO SO.
