Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane has requested the deployment of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to deal with “deadly extortionists” in the province, a move that a National Council of Provinces (NCOP) delegation is endorsing.

Mabuyane has urged action against alleged extortion at large infrastructure projects in the Eastern Cape.

Provincial Whip and leader of the Eastern Cape permanent delegates to the NCOP Mwelo Nonkonyane said it fully supported Mabuyane’s initiative to request the deployment of soldiers, describing it as a “necessary and long-overdue” intervention that the delegation will urge President Cyril Ramaphosa to adopt.

“Our province has lagged for too long on infrastructure development. It is not fair on the companies; it is not fair on communities and ordinary South Africans that a few selfish thugs offer nothing and want to benefit from projects,” Nonkonyane said.

“…extortionists are not backing down, which begs the question whether arresting them and imprisoning them is adequate action to mitigate their behaviour,” he added.

Nonkonyane pointed to the province’s infrastructure potential, pointing to the construction of several new road projects and bridges.

“We want to see our communities working and benefitting on these mega-infrastructure projects. Any criminal project intended to hold this work back should be dealt with decisively and without fear or hesitation,” he stated.

The delegation is set to visit various infrastructure sites including the Mzimvubu dam, Ludeke dam and Msikaba bridge projects on the Wild Coast, and the Ngquza Memorial Hill project.