South African based Businessman Arrested After Viral Restaurant Threats, Company Cuts Ties

By Staff Reporter
HARARE — Zimbabwean-born businessman Lawrence Chamurwa Mudzinganyama has been arrested in South Africa following allegations that he threatened to shoot and kill women at a Sandton restaurant, while his company has removed him from its leadership and government agencies have launched investigations into contracts awarded to his business.
The incident occurred on the evening of September 18 at Vlamo restaurant in Sandton Gate, Glenadrienne, after Mudzinganyama allegedly approached a group of women attending a private birthday dinner.
According to reports, Mudzinganyama initially offered to take photographs of the women before allegedly asking for a woman's telephone number. After the women declined his advances and asked him to leave them alone, he allegedly became aggressive and followed them towards the ladies' powder room.
Video footage of the confrontation subsequently circulated widely on social media.
In the footage, Mudzinganyama is heard making threats including, “I could put a bullet in you now” and “I’ll put a bullet in all of you.”
He is also heard claiming that he could buy the restaurant and referring to himself as a wealthy man.
Restaurant staff intervened and removed him from the area.
Vlamo management later confirmed that Mudzinganyama had no ownership, employment or other affiliation with the restaurant.
The women and the restaurant reported the incident to the South African Police Service on September 19. A case of intimidation was opened at Randburg police station, with the Gauteng Provincial Investigation Unit handling the investigation.
South African authorities subsequently moved to investigate the businessman and his business interests.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy instructed the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) board to establish whether Moriel Infrastructure Group was lawfully appointed and whether the company was meeting its contractual obligations.
Moriel has reportedly secured government contracts, including a SANRAL-linked contract valued at about R71 million, with reports of additional awards exceeding R100 million.
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson separately directed the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) to investigate the company's grading history.
Macpherson raised questions after reports that Moriel had obtained multiple CIDB gradings on the same day, saying the matter required investigation to determine whether the requirements had been met.
The investigation will also establish whether the gradings were subsequently used to secure government contracts.
Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga publicly called on Mudzinganyama to surrender himself to police, while Police Minister Firoz Cachalia described the reported threats as unlawful conduct and said the case was being prioritised.
The Department of Home Affairs was also asked to examine Mudzinganyama's immigration status.
The Citizen subsequently reported that Mudzinganyama had been arrested and was expected to appear in court.
Meanwhile, Moriel Infrastructure Group has severed its relationship with its founder.
The company's board resolved to terminate Mudzinganyama's positions as executive chairman and director with immediate effect.
“The Board of Moriel Infrastructure Group has resolved to terminate its association with Mr Lawrence Mudzinganyama, both as Executive Chairman and as a director, with immediate effect,” the company said.
Moriel said Mudzinganyama would no longer represent or act on behalf of the company in any capacity.
The company condemned threats, violence, abuse and intimidation against women and vulnerable people, saying the conduct shown in the video was inconsistent with its organisational values.
Mudzinganyama has since apologised to the women involved.
“I apologise unreservedly to the women involved in the recent incident at Vlamo restaurant in Sandton,” he said.
He acknowledged that the language he used was aggressive and threatening and said it was “unacceptable and unjustifiable”.
Mudzinganyama said he should have walked away from the confrontation and sought assistance from restaurant management.
He also said he would cooperate with investigators and was seeking professional guidance, including conflict-management assistance.
The criminal investigation and the separate SANRAL and CIDB inquiries are expected to determine the extent of any further legal, contractual or regulatory consequences.
Mudzinganyama remains entitled to due process, and allegations against him have yet to be tested in court.