By Daily South African Pulse
Johannesburg has once again found itself in the eye of a political storm. The appointment of Councillor Sithembiso Zungu as the city’s new Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Group Corporate and Shared Services has drawn sharp criticism and raised questions about whether South Africa’s largest metro is sliding deeper into the grip of the so-called “construction mafia.”
Mayor Dada Morero’s decision to elevate Zungu on 7 August is far more than an internal staffing shuffle. The MMC role is one of the most powerful in the city’s political machinery, giving Zungu influence over procurement processes involving billions of rands, as well as oversight of city-owned entities that control the lion’s share of Johannesburg’s R89-billion annual budget.
Yet Zungu’s rise comes shadowed by serious allegations. Court papers, media reports, and ongoing investigations have linked him to site disruptions, extortion attempts, and even contempt of court proceedings—all hallmarks of what South Africans have come to call the “construction mafia.”
Zungu rejects the label outright. “I refute it,” he told Daily Maverick, insisting he has been unfairly maligned and that his only interest is serving Johannesburg residents. But his past activities, combined with the city’s fragile coalition politics, have created an atmosphere of suspicion and unease.
This blog takes a deep dive into the history, the allegations, the stakes, and what this means for Johannesburg’s future governance.
Johannesburg’s Battle With the Construction Mafia
The term “construction mafia” has become part of South Africa’s political vocabulary in recent years. It refers to loosely organized groups—often calling themselves “business forums”—that storm construction sites, disrupt projects, and demand a share of contracts under the guise of representing “local empowerment.”
In reality, these disruptions frequently translate into extortion, project delays, inflated costs, and sometimes outright violence. National Treasury estimates that the practice has cost the public purse billions of rands in lost infrastructure development, stalled housing projects, and spiraling contractor claims.
Johannesburg, as South Africa’s economic hub, has been a prime target. From housing projects in Lehae to critical road repairs along the Golden Highway, contractors have faced repeated stoppages and threats from forums demanding a stake in lucrative deals.
It is against this backdrop that Zungu’s appointment takes on such weight.
Zungu’s Profile: From Local Activist to MMC
Zungu represents Ward 122, an area covering Lehae, Zakariya Park, Vlakfontein, and parts of Eikenhof and Freedom Park. Before entering politics, he chaired the Vlakfontein Business Forum, a structure that positioned itself as a community watchdog over local projects.
Critics, however, argue that forums like these have often crossed the line from advocacy into coercion.
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Alleged Incidents Tied to Zungu:
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School Refurbishment Standoff: The Inkululeko Yesizwe Primary School project in Vlakfontein faced disruptions allegedly linked to Zungu’s forum. He claims delays were due to contractor failures and disputes with the Gauteng government.
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Lehae Housing Project: Media reports allege that his forum was part of extortion attempts that stalled the development. In 2020, Zungu himself was sentenced to two months in prison for contempt of court after ignoring an interdict related to these disruptions—though he denies involvement.
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Golden Highway Repair Disruptions: Court papers from earlier this year suggest Zungu was aligned with groups that disrupted critical repairs to the Golden Highway. WhatsApp messages presented in court appeared to show his involvement. He denies this as well.
Despite the denials, the Hawks are reportedly investigating him, further deepening public skepticism.
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The ANC’s Step-Aside Rule — and Why It Matters
Perhaps the most controversial element of Zungu’s appointment is its apparent violation of the ANC’s step-aside rule, which requires members facing criminal charges or serious allegations to step down from leadership roles.
By this standard, critics argue, Zungu should have been barred from the MMC post. Instead, Mayor Morero pressed ahead, sparking accusations that political expediency outweighed ethical governance.
The Democratic Alliance’s Chris Avant Smith condemned the move, calling it a “blatant disregard for residents” and a sign of how coalition governments in Johannesburg have become vehicles for patronage rather than service delivery.
Billions at Stake: Why This Role Matters
The MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Services is not just another political title. The position controls procurement processes across the city, including:
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Oversight of boards for entities such as City Power, Johannesburg Water, Pikitup, and the Johannesburg Roads Agency.
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Influence over 40% of the city’s annual budget, which is directed toward goods, services, and infrastructure.
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A decisive say in appointments to entity boards, which in turn shape how contracts are awarded.
Given Johannesburg’s governance model—where semi-autonomous entities run most services—control over these boards is effectively control over the city’s biggest contracts.
This is why Zungu’s appointment is being read not just as a personnel change, but as a signal about where power lies in the city’s fragile coalition government.
A City on the Edge
Johannesburg’s governance challenges are legendary: failing infrastructure, rolling blackouts, water shortages, and collapsing service delivery. Against this backdrop, procurement integrity becomes even more critical.
When construction projects are halted or manipulated, the costs are borne directly by residents—through crumbling roads, delayed housing, and billions siphoned off into inflated contractor claims.
The Golden Highway case illustrates the stakes vividly. Contractors reported losing R224,000 a day, amounting to over R4 million in just a few months. Those costs are billed back to government, meaning taxpayers ultimately foot the bill for disruptions.
Zungu’s Defense
In interviews, Zungu has struck a defiant tone:
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He insists he has never solicited bribes or extorted contractors.
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He frames delays at Vlakfontein school as failures by the Gauteng Department of Education.
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He provided payment records showing his legitimate employment as a “social facilitator” for the Lehae housing contractor.
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He dismisses allegations of being part of the Golden Highway protests, saying, “I work well with Lonerock,” the contractor.
“I want anybody to come forward and say, ‘this is what I gave the councillor,’” Zungu told reporters, suggesting that no hard evidence of corruption exists.
Political Forecast: What Happens Next?
Experts suggest three possible scenarios:
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Business-as-Usual Appointment
Zungu remains in office, using his influence over procurement while denying allegations. This risks further erosion of public trust in Johannesburg’s governance. -
Step-Aside Enforcement
Pressure from civil society, opposition parties, or even ANC structures could force his removal, though this would destabilize the coalition further. -
Escalation of Investigations
If the Hawks or other authorities bring formal charges, Zungu may be compelled to vacate office under the step-aside rule.
Given Johannesburg’s volatile coalition politics, the outcome is difficult to predict.
The Bigger Picture: Governance at Risk
At its heart, this saga is less about one councillor and more about a broader pattern: the capture of procurement processes by networks of politicians, business forums, and patronage structures.
With Johannesburg already facing near-collapse in service delivery, the appointment of a figure under suspicion raises alarm bells about whether the city can recover—or whether its decline will deepen.
FAQs
What is the construction mafia?
Groups of local business forums that disrupt construction projects to demand contracts or payments, often using threats or violence.
Why is Zungu’s appointment controversial?
He has been linked to multiple construction site disruptions, contempt of court proceedings, and is under Hawks investigation. Critics say he should have been barred under ANC step-aside rules.
What does his MMC role control?
Procurement of billions in contracts, oversight of city-owned entities, and appointments to boards that deliver core services like power, water, and waste management.
Could this affect Johannesburg residents directly?
Yes. Disruptions in projects lead to delays, inflated costs, and worsening service delivery, all of which impact daily life for residents.
Final Word
The appointment of Sithembiso Zungu as Johannesburg’s MMC is more than a personnel shuffle—it’s a test case for whether South Africa’s largest city can break free from the grip of corruption and patronage, or whether it will sink further under the weight of the construction mafia’s shadow economy.
As investigations continue and political battles intensify, residents of Johannesburg are left asking: Who really controls the city’s billions—and in whose interest are they being spent?
For ongoing coverage of this story and more in-depth analysis, follow us at Daily South African Pulse.
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