The South African construction sector is under siege from extortion, which has escalated from sporadic incidents in 2015 to a widespread crisis. This illicit activity is often attributed to unlawful activities conducted organised extortionists and criminal organisations also known as the construction mafia. Proactive stakeholder engagement is imperative to mitigate the detrimental effects of criminal elements on construction projects. Fostering positive relationships with affected communities, through established channels, is essential for the successful implementation and sustainability of infrastructure initiatives. Join Director, Sentebale Makara and Candidate Attorney, Thobeka Dhlamini from our Construction & Engineering sector where they discuss the construction mafia, its operations, and some practical strategies for mitigating its impact.