By Victor Fanuel
SOUTH AFRICA JOHANNESBURG — A Zimbabwe-born tycoon has sparked a government probe into his fortune and multi-million-rand state contracts after a shocking video emerged of him threatening women at a posh Sandton restaurant.
Lawrence Chamurwa Mudzinganyama was filmed allegedly threatening to shoot a group of women who had reportedly rejected his advances before boasting about his vast wealth and claiming he could buy the restaurant.
The explosive footage, recorded at about 8.15pm on September 18 at Vlamo Restaurant in Sandton, has since triggered scrutiny of Mudzinganyama’s business empire and lucrative government deals awarded to his company.
According to the complainant, Mudzinganyama approached the women during a private birthday dinner and offered to take photographs with them.
They declined, after which he allegedly demanded a phone number and became aggressive when told to leave them alone.
Mudzinganyama then allegedly followed the women towards the powder room, where the confrontation was captured on camera.
In the footage, he is heard threatening them:
“I will murder you now and walk and I will put a bullet in all of you.”
The businessman then launched into a bizarre boast about his wealth.
“I’m a wealthy man.
“You guys are poor ladies,” said Mudzinganyama.
He went on to insult one of the women.
“You’re a cheap b***h and you will remain that.”
Waiters eventually stepped in and removed him from the area.
Restaurant management confirmed the incident, saying the owner reviewed the footage, spoke to the complainant and had Mudzinganyama removed.
Vlamo Restaurant said it had zero tolerance for conduct that threatened the safety and dignity of its guests and staff and stressed that Mudzinganyama had no connection to the restaurant.
A case of intimidation was opened at Randburg SAPS and referred to the Gauteng Provincial Investigation Unit.
Police said investigations were continuing, while confirming that no firearm had been seen and no physical injuries were reported.
A companion of Mudzinganyama allegedly apologised to the complainant and urged her not to take the matter further, claiming the businessman was well connected.
But the restaurant drama has now spilled into the corridors of government.
Mudzinganyama has been identified as founder and executive chairman of Moriel Infrastructure Group, a Johannesburg-based infrastructure development and specialist road contracting company.
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has ordered the board of the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) to investigate whether Moriel was lawfully appointed and whether it is meeting the terms of its contract.
SANRAL has confirmed receiving the directive and said it will investigate.
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has also ordered the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) to probe allegations surrounding Moriel’s construction gradings.
Claims under investigation include allegations that the company obtained several CIDB gradings on the same day despite questions over whether it met the requirements.
Those gradings were allegedly used to secure government contracts.
SANRAL records show Moriel was awarded a contract worth about R107.5 million in October 2024 and another worth approximately R71.6 million in January 2025.
Together, the two deals are worth roughly R179.1 million.
South Africa’s Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster has formally identified Mudzinganyama and urged anyone affected by the restaurant incident to lodge formal complaints.
Officials said video evidence could assist the investigation but that formal complainant statements are generally required to initiate criminal proceedings.
Authorities have also indicated that Section 102 of the Firearms Control Act could be considered as part of the wider investigation.
The provision allows for a person to be declared unfit to possess a firearm where the legal requirements are met.
Back in Zimbabwe, Mudzinganyama’s extraordinary restaurant performance has already become fodder for ridicule.
One Harare-based “tenderprenuer” quipped:
“He has no table manners, when you eat, do it quietly now look, he is almost chasing the meat away from his mouth like his surname suggests.”
