BCCEI MAKING CIVIL ENGINEERING SITES SAFE AGAIN

With signs that government’s infrastructure spending may ramp up in coming years, it is vital that affected communities and others in need of the services benefit and that the economy has a foundation on which to grow. This means that civil engineering projects must be allowed to proceed without criminal disruption. The Bargaining Council for the Civil Engineering Industry (BCCEI) is helping to ensure that this happens.

After years of increasing intimidation and violence on large and small construction sites around South Africa, stakeholders are starting to work together to roll back this scourge.

These hopeful signs are important to the future of the country’s economy, as government prepares to invest in long-awaited public infrastructure. According to Lindie Fourie, operations manager at the BCCEI, it is encouraging to see growing collaboration among public-sector organisations, business groups and other key participants.

“This year has seen the BCCEI develop and implement an action plan to serve its members, who’re employers and employees in civil engineering,” says Fourie. “This plan’s focused on making our worksites safe and productive again, after years of facing brazen intimidation, violence and theft.”

She highlights that civil engineering contractors prioritise the safety of their staff and their contractual obligations to clients. With the rise of construction mafias and general crime in the country, many worksites have been forced to meet criminal demands or face life-threatening consequences.

“The situation in many areas is so serious that workers and employers are too scared to report the criminals to the police for fear of reprisal,” she explains. “The police, in turn, say they can’t act without a docket. With our new communication channels, we’re exploring ways that incidents can be reported without jeopardising people’s safety.”

Fourie argues that trade unions and employer bodies are at the heart of the BCCEI and these groups work together to protect lives and jobs. This is the basis for growing SA’s economy so that standards of living can improve.

“This is why the BCCEI can’t ignore the devastating impact of criminality on construction sites, as it’s destroying jobs and preventing growth,” she says.

The BCCEI’s action plan dovetails with other national initiatives to rescue the economy from construction mafias and other criminal activity. Central to these efforts is the Department of Public Works & Infrastructure’s Anti-Corruption Forum.

The BCCEI’s work has opened the door to collaboration with policing authorities, local government and other business bodies who are fighting crime.

“We’ve been encouraged by the willingness of many of these stakeholders to join hands and push back against those elements who’re eroding our industry and future,” says Fourie. “Of course, it’s still early days in terms of getting results and we realise how difficult the process is going to be. However, a start has been made and everyone really needs to step forward now.”

She notes that the BCCEI has received compliments on its action plan, with stakeholders congratulating it on helping to facilitate stability at disrupted worksites.

“We urge all organisations, companies and communities who’re facing obstacles or threats to the successful execution of civil engineering projects to contact the BCCEI,” she says.

At the lavish annual “World’s Best” International Property Awards ceremony held at the iconic Savoy Hotel in London on 2 February, the Waterfall Management Company was awarded Best International Mixed-Use Development 2022/23 for Waterfall City.

This is the fifth time in six years that Waterfall City has beaten formidable competitors to claim the top spot. This year’s nominees included mixed-use developments in Cyprus, Brazil, Qatar and Hong Kong. Entries were judged based on criteria ranging from design layout and quality, architecture, services and security to innovation, originality, marketing and commitment to sustainability.

Over and above scooping this prestigious international accolade, Waterfall City also garnered the regional title of Best MixedUse Development in Africa for the eighth time. This follows its recent accolade of being named Best Mixed-Use Development in South Africa, also for the eighth time, in October 2022 in Dubai.

Over the past year, a panel of over 90