Lawrence Mudzinganyama, the Johannesburg businessman filmed threatening to shoot a group of women at Vlamo restaurant in Sandton on Friday, has been charged with intimidation and will appear in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on 1 October.
According to IOL, police arrested Mudzinganyama on Sunday morning, 20 September, and released him on warning. The case was opened at Randburg police station on Saturday after the restaurant reported the incident.
By Monday, he had also lost his executive role at Moriel Infrastructure Group and the lease on his Steyn City home.
What charge does Lawrence Mudzinganyama face?
Mudzinganyama faces a charge of intimidation. South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed the arrest and said the matter remained under investigation. Being released on warning means he was not required to pay bail, but he must present himself at court on the date set by police.
“The man was arrested this morning, 20 September 2026, and was released on warning to appear before Randburg court on 01 October 2026. Police investigations continue.”
Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, SAPS spokesperson
What happened at Vlamo restaurant in Sandton?
The incident took place on Friday, 18 September, at Vlamo, a restaurant at Sandton Gate in Johannesburg. As reported by Joburg ETC, Mudzinganyama approached a group of women and offered to take photographs with them.
When they declined, he allegedly asked one of the women for her phone number, and the exchange escalated when the group asked him to leave.
The confrontation was recorded on a cellphone and shared widely on social media over the weekend. In the footage, Mudzinganyama tells the women that he is a wealthy man and that they are poor, before threatening to shoot them.
“I could put a bullet in you now. I do not play. I will murder you now and walk.”
Lawrence Mudzinganyama, in the viral video
Vlamo has distanced itself from Mudzinganyama, confirming that he is not employed by or affiliated with the restaurant in any capacity. Management said it reported the incident to police on 19 September and that the safety and dignity of women, guests and staff remained its priority.
Who is Lawrence Mudzinganyama?
Lawrence Chamurwa Mudzinganyama is a Zimbabwean businessman who, until this week, served as executive chairman and director of Moriel Infrastructure Group, a construction company that holds contracts with the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) on sections of the N1 and N2 national roads.
Moriel removed him from both positions with immediate effect, saying the conduct in the footage was inconsistent with the organisation’s values. Steyn City Properties also cancelled his residential lease, with the estate saying it condemns violence and intimidation and will cooperate with the relevant authorities.
“Mr Mudzinganyama has been removed from both positions. He will no longer represent, speak for or act on behalf of Moriel Infrastructure Group in any capacity.”
Moriel Infrastructure Group
Government ministers call for action
The video drew responses from several members of Cabinet. Sindisiwe Chikunga, Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, said on Sunday that the interministerial committee wanted Mudzinganyama to hand himself over to police urgently, adding that he must face the consequences despite his apology.
“The law will find him no matter how rich he is.”
Sindisiwe Chikunga, Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia said the matter was being prioritised and called on the Department of Home Affairs to review Mudzinganyama’s immigration status.
Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson directed the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) to look into allegations concerning Moriel’s contractor gradings.
SANRAL probes Moriel contracts
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy instructed SANRAL to establish whether Moriel was lawfully appointed and whether it is meeting the terms of its contracts. SANRAL acting CEO Lehlohonolo Memeza said the investigation had already begun.
As reported by ZimEye, the contracts are worth about R107.5 million, awarded in October 2024, and R71.6 million, awarded in January 2025.
Joburg ETC reported that the roads agency is also consulting legal advisers on possible action over reputational damage.
It is reviewing its procurement policies with a view to potentially excluding companies linked to gender-based violence allegations from future tenders.
Mudzinganyama apologises
Mudzinganyama issued a public apology over the weekend, describing his language as unacceptable and unjustifiable regardless of the circumstances.
He said he should have removed himself from the situation and asked restaurant management for help, and that he would cooperate fully with police.
He added that he is seeking professional guidance and will attend a conflict-management programme.
Violence against women in South Africa
The incident comes as violence against women remains under national scrutiny. SAPS crime statistics, as reported by the Mail & Guardian, show that 569 women were murdered between April and June 2026, while 1,052 women survived attempted murder over the same period.
Police also recorded 9,201 rapes over those three months, with 8,814 of the cases involving women and children.
In his apology, Mudzinganyama acknowledged the seriousness of his conduct in a country confronting what he described as unacceptable levels of violence against women.
Mudzinganyama is due to make his first appearance in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 1 October. Separately, SANRAL and the CIDB are continuing their investigations into Moriel Infrastructure Group, while Home Affairs has been asked to review his immigration status.
- SAPS spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, statement on the arrest
- Moriel Infrastructure Group, statement on Mudzinganyama's removal
- Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga, remarks on the interministerial committee's call for surrender
- Lawrence Mudzinganyama, public apology statement
- IOL reporting on the arrest and court date
- IOL reporting on the lost lease and company positions
- Sowetan reporting on the minister's call for surrender
- Joburg ETC reporting on the restaurant confrontation
- Joburg ETC reporting on the SANRAL probe into Moriel
- ZimEye reporting on Moriel's SANRAL contract values
- Mail & Guardian reporting on SAPS femicide statistics
- Earlier Swisher Post coverage of femicide after a woman's body was found in Meadowlands
This story is based on statements from SAPS, Moriel Infrastructure Group, Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga and Lawrence Mudzinganyama, as well as reporting by IOL, Sowetan, TimesLIVE, Joburg ETC and ZimEye. The account of what led to the confrontation comes from media reports and has not been confirmed by the women involved, who have not been identified. The value of Moriel's SANRAL contracts has been reported by a single outlet, and the outcomes of the SANRAL, CIDB and Home Affairs reviews are not yet known.
