Popular Mzansi reality TV star, and businesswoman, Shauwn Mkhize aka MaMkhize has seemingly scored another own goal by admitting to working with the “construction mafia,” who are known for using violence and intimidation to extort money from businesses in the public works sector.
Her admission comes weeks after her name trended in relation to an assassination attempt on a SARS advocate assigned to R37 million investigation into her companies.
MaMkhize the CEO of the Zikhulise Group has been previously charged with alleged criminal activity, including fraud, forgery, bribery, and tax evasion.
Speaking to SABC at a Women in Construction event in Durban this week, MaMkhize, who owns the Zikhulise Group, which deals in the construction, cleaning, maintenance, and transport sectors, admitted to “collaborating” with the criminals.
She said: “As much as there are construction mafias, it is very important to collaborate. I’ve been in the industry for more than 20 years, with the construction mafia involved.
“But what I do is I sit down [with them]. It’s a cry for help. You need to understand what they need, and you collaborate. I’ve done it. I’ve built quite a lot of people that are coming from construction mafias, which I call business forums”.
Shauwn Mkhize (MaMkhize)
She continued: “They’ve never given me problems. We must look at them as enemies. We must listen, hear them out, and meet each other halfway. That’s how I’ve done it”.
According to KZN Human Settlements, MEC Siboniso Duma claimed the government is “engaging” with the “construction mafia,” who disguise themselves “business forums.”
However, he added: “We are clear on extortion because we define that as criminal activity…Those that come with rifles, police must take their roles.”
Meanwhile, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean MacPherson labelled the “construction mafia as “thugs” in and interview with BizNews.
On social media, South Africans were shocked at MaMkhize’s brazen admission.
@Kat4Kubs: “Collaborating with a mafia makes you part of the mafia.”
@SALEM_WORD: “Negotiate with criminals? TF!”
@King704Mph: “MaMkhize needs a spokesperson ne Spin Doctor ASAP
According to The Citizen, MaMkhize was slapped with a R37 million tax bill relating to her business empire.
As a result, SARS filed a court application to seize 13 high-end vehicles owned by Shandi Trust and Royal AM football club, of which the reality TV star holds a majority stake.
The publication added that MaMkhize was also ordered to pay R12 million in her personal capacity to SARS.
In 2012, a local publication reported that MaMkhize faced 119 counts of tax fraud, amounting to up to R5 million, for submitting fake invoices. She later blamed the oversight on her bookkeeper, Kishal Reddy, who pleaded guilty while she pleaded not guilty.
According to Mail & Guardian, she was also charged with corruption for allegedly trying to persuade a state witness in one of her tax fraud cases to tamper with evidence.
All charges were later withdrawn, and Shauwn walked out of the court as a free woman.