eThekwini Municipality’s plan to deal with disruptive business forums

DURBAN - ETHEKWINI Municipality will enlist the assistance of the SAPS as it seeks to deal with vigilante business formations that have in the past disrupted some of the projects run by the city.

This was revealed by eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda during an executive committee (exco) meeting yesterday, where he declared the municipality’s intention to tackle the invasion of construction sites by business forums that seek to win contracts by using force.

Kaunda was responding to concerns from DA exco member Nicole Graham about how the multibillion-rand development project in Ntshongweni would continue without interruption by business forums.

In the past, a number of projects under the municipality have been halted by business forum members.

One such grouping, called Delangokubona, caused havoc at many sites around Durban.

Graham said the city needed to stand firm against any groupings disrupting work at construction sites.

“The Ntshongweni development is good for the city and the delays could have been prevented.

“The reality is that business forums have been wreaking havoc in the Outer West with business developments being held to ransom. Business growth has been derailed by these forums who are nothing but organised criminals,” said Graham.

Economic development portfolio committee chairperson and exco member Thanduxolo Sabelo was equally scathing on the conduct of the disruptive groupings, adding that the city needed to stand its ground.

“The issue of these groupings needs to be dealt with because they are an unscrupulous gang of thugs and are a matter of concern,” Sabelo stressed.

Kaunda, who has in the past said the city’s development would not be held to ransom by such groupings, said they were in contact with the police.

“I am meeting with the (police) to discuss the implementation of specialised units to deal with business forums. We need to work together with the police to deal with this,” said Kaunda. He added that the city was open to discussions with business formations that operated within the law.

Graham welcomed the development, expressing hope that it would have good results.

Black Business Forum spokesperson Sifiso Shezi said the city was welcome to enlist the help that it deemed necessary to protect its work.

“We have a healthy relationship with eThekwini as well as developers. We often urge our members to participate in an orderly fashion when dealing with economically related issues,” Shezi told The Mercury yesterday.

He stressed that while they were not representing other formations, it was equally important for big businesses to involve local business formations when undertaking projects in their areas.