ZIM Born Businessman Mudzinganyama To Appear In Court On 10 Criminal Charges
Zimbabwean-born South Africa-based businessman Lawrence Mudzinganyama (40) is set to appear in the Regional Court at the Randburg Magistrates’ Court to face 10 charges including threatening women at a restaurant.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed it has furnished the defence with the contents of the docket and is ready to proceed with the case.
Mudzinganyama was arrested on 20 September 2026 at the Randburg Police Station and was initially released on warning on a charge of intimidation.
Following further investigations, which included obtaining witness statements and securing video footage, the State brought additional charges.
He is now facing 10 charges in total:
– Three counts of intimidation
– Three counts of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm
– Three counts of crimen injuria
– One count of fraud
The charges stem from an alleged incident on 18 September 2026 at Vlamo Restaurant in Randburg, north of Sandton.
The State alleges that Mudzinganyama entered the women’s restroom and demanded to take photographs of one of the witnesses. He is further alleged to have threatened three witnesses with violence and death.
The crimen injuria charges relate to allegations that he insulted the complainants and impaired their dignity by calling them a derogatory name in the presence of other people. The fraud charge relates to an allegation that he falsely represented himself to the witnesses as the owner of Vlamo Restaurant, despite allegedly knowing that he was not its lawful owner.
The defence requested additional time to consult with the accused. The matter was postponed to 30 October 2026 for a trial date to be determined, and his bail was extended until his next court appearance.
Meanwhile, Mudzinganyama’s former company, Moriel Infrastructure Group, has been blacklisted from doing business with South Africa government.
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson announced on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, that the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) had removed the company from the national register of contractors.
The company was officially removed from the register on 15 October, after an investigation into whether it had misrepresented its financial and technical capabilities to obtain higher CIDB grading designations
Macpherson said the CIDB commenced its investigation into the company in 2025 and served its first formal notice that year, with a further notice served on 11 September 2026 – predating the public controversy surrounding Mudzinganyama.
The removal means Moriel can no longer undertake public-sector construction work that requires active CIDB registration. The company previously held high-level designations including 8CE and 8SB, which would have allowed it to tender for projects worth hundreds of millions of rands
Moriel Infrastructure Group has since announced that it terminated its association with Mudzinganyama, removing him as executive chairman and director.
The CIDB said 75 contractors have been permanently deregistered since June 2024 for breaching registration requirements.
“The NPA is ready to proceed with the matter and remains committed to ensuring that cases are prosecuted diligently and that all accused persons are afforded a fair trial,” said NPA spokesperson Mr Kaizer Kganyago.