Levy Masiteng
KwaZulu-Natal road construction and maintenance projects have been disrupted by the theft of heavy machinery and transport vehicles worth more than R250 million since 2024, MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma said on Thursday.
Duma said a “criminal syndicate” had stolen 43 heavy construction machines and transport vehicles from departmental projects across the province.
The stolen equipment includes TLBs, excavators, pay loaders, rollers, tipper trucks, loader backhoes, graders, LDV double cabs and truck cranes.
“This machinery is critical in ensuring timely construction of new roads and the maintenance of more than 34 000 kilometers of our road networks,” Duma said.
He said members of the syndicate had gone as far as hijacking departmental staff and construction workers before stealing vehicles and machinery.
In some cases, the criminals allegedly operated under the cover of darkness, while in others they used fake number plates and impersonated mechanics.
“The heartless criminals use fake number plates, impersonate mechanics, and claim to have been authorised by the Department of Transport to take the construction machinery. This tactic is used to bypass advanced security systems and to trick unsuspecting security guards.”
Duma said the department had established a specialised security team, working with the South African Police Service’s Organised Crime Unit, to recover stolen equipment.
He said the unit was deployed by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.
So far, 22 heavy construction machines and transport vehicles worth R45 million have been recovered, while 21 machines and vehicles valued at about R200 million remain missing.
Duma said three suspects were arrested in Eshowe by members of the Road Traffic Inspectorate after a stolen grader was recovered. The suspects were handed over to police.
“The theft of machinery has severely affected construction and maintenance of road networks, with communities suffering,” Duma said.
“We wish to appeal to the law-abiding citizens of KwaZulu-Natal to come together against a criminal syndicate that is systematically destroying this province by stealing much-needed construction machinery,” he said.
The thefts come as the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport faces pressure to maintain and upgrade critical road infrastructure across the province.
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