Zimbabwean Arrested in South Africa Over Death Threat

September 21, 2026

Deal Turns Sour: Zimbabwean Arrested Over Death Threat in South Africa

What started as a disturbing confrontation at an upmarket restaurant in Sandton, South Africa, has escalated into a criminal case involving Zimbabwean businessman Lawrence Chamurwa Mudzinganyama.

Mudzinganyama was arrested on Sunday after a video recorded at Vlamo restaurant in Sandton appeared to show him allegedly threatening a group of women. The incident has since led to a police investigation, the loss of his senior business positions, and further scrutiny of a company linked to him.

Zimbabwean Businessman Arrested in Sandton

Mudzinganyama was arrested on September 20, 2026, after the incident, which took place at Vlamo restaurant on Friday, September 18, was captured on video and widely circulated on social media.

Police said he was released on warning and is expected to appear before the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on October 1.

South African Police Service spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi confirmed the arrest.

“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,” Nevhuhulwi said.

According to information released by authorities, Mudzinganyama had approached women who were attending a private birthday dinner at Vlamo and allegedly offered to take photographs.

After they declined and he later asked one of the women for her phone number, the situation reportedly escalated after he was asked to leave them alone.

He allegedly followed the women into the restaurant’s powder-room area, where the confrontation was recorded.

Waiters eventually intervened and removed him from the area. Vlamo subsequently reported the incident to police and said it would cooperate with the investigation.

The video has since triggered a wider fallout involving Mudzinganyama’s business relationships.

Business Ties Severed After South Africa Arrest

Moriel Infrastructure Group, where Mudzinganyama served as executive chairman and director, announced that it had terminated its association with him with immediate effect.

The company said he had been removed from both positions and would no longer represent or act on its behalf.

“The conduct shown in the footage is inconsistent with the organisation’s values,” the company said.

Moriel also condemned violence against women and all forms of threatening, abusive and intimidating conduct.

The company’s announcement came as two South African government departments moved to scrutinise aspects of its business dealings.

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy instructed the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) board to investigate whether Moriel Infrastructure Group was appointed lawfully and whether it is complying with its contractual obligations.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson separately directed the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) to investigate allegations concerning Moriel’s CIDB gradings.

Government Investigations Into Moriel Infrastructure Group

Macpherson said allegations had been raised that the company obtained multiple gradings on the same day and that it may not have met the requirements for those gradings.

The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the gradings and report back to the minister.

These government investigations are separate from the criminal case involving Mudzinganyama. They do not, on their own, establish wrongdoing by Moriel Infrastructure Group.

The criminal investigation into the Sandton incident remains ongoing, with Mudzinganyama expected to appear before the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on October 1.