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2026 - Volume 10 - Number 2

Construction Extortion in South Africa: A Qualitative Study of Its Nature, Persistence, and Criminal Justice Challenges in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal

Sandile Clement Masuku * ORCID: 0000-0002-7857-9687
Tshwane University of Technology, Department of Law, Safety and Security, Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA

Hendrick Puleng Motlakgosi
Tshwane University of Technology, Department of Law, Safety and Security, Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA

Kholofelo Annah Rakubu * ORCID: 0000-0003-3780-3141
Tshwane University of Technology, Department of Law, Safety and Security, Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA

Open Journal for Sociological Studies, 2026, 10(2), 71-86 * https://doi.org/10.32591/coas.ojss.1002.03071m
Received: 5 August 2026 ▪ Revised: 17 September 2026 ▪ Accepted: 15 October 2026

LICENCE: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

ARTICLE (Full Text - PDF)

ABSTRACT:
Construction extortion poses a serious threat to infrastructure development and economic growth in South Africa, particularly in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. This study investigated the nature and prevalence of construction extortion, the drivers sustaining the phenomenon, and the challenges faced by the criminal justice system in addressing it effectively. A qualitative research design was employed, using semi-structured interviews with 21 participants selected through purposive and snowball sampling. Participants included investigators from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, South African Police Service Crime Intelligence officials, construction industry managers, and community leaders. Data were analyzed thematically and interpreted through Routine Activity Theory, Social Disorganization Theory, and Rational Choice Theory. The findings reveal that construction extortion has evolved into an organized criminal activity marked by threats, violence, project delays, and the manipulation of localization requirements. The study recommends enhanced inter-agency cooperation, intelligence-led policing, stronger witness protection measures, and clearer procurement and localization frameworks to improve prevention and prosecution outcomes.

KEY WORDS: construction extortion, organized crime, infrastructure development, law enforcement, infrastructure security.

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR: Hendrick Puleng Motlakgosi, Tshwane University of Technology, Department of Law, Safety and Security, Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA.

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