Moriel Infrastructure Group Blacklisted From Doing Business With the State Amid Lawrence Mudzinganyama Controversy

Anneliese van der Merwe Published 22 hours ago

3 min read

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Zimbabwean businessman Lawrence Mudzinganyama is facing further scrutiny after his company, Moriel Infrastructure Group, was reportedly blacklisted from doing business with the South African government.

The development follows investigations into the construction company’s government contracts and contractor registrations, after a video showing Mudzinganyama allegedly threatening women at a Sandton restaurant circulated widely on social media in September 2026.

Mudzinganyama previously served as the company’s executive chairman and a director before Moriel announced that it had terminated its association with him with immediate effect. The company condemned the conduct depicted in the footage and said it was inconsistent with its values.

Company Faces Government Scrutiny Over Contracts

The reported blacklisting comes against the backdrop of separate government investigations into Moriel Infrastructure Group’s public-sector work and construction-industry registrations.

In September, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy instructed the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) to investigate whether Moriel had been lawfully appointed and whether it was complying with the terms of its contracts.

SANRAL confirmed that it had two contracts with the company involving projects on the N1 and N2 national roads. The agency said it had begun investigating the matter and was consulting its legal advisers.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson also directed the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) to investigate allegations that Moriel had obtained multiple contractor gradings on the same day.

Questions were raised about whether the company met all the requirements for those gradings and whether they may have been used to secure government contracts.

The investigation was intended to establish the circumstances surrounding the registrations and whether the applicable requirements had been met. The allegations themselves do not establish that the company committed any wrongdoing.

Sandton Restaurant Incident

The controversy began after footage from Vlamo restaurant at Sandton Gate circulated on social media in September.

The footage appeared to show Mudzinganyama confronting women inside the restaurant’s ladies’ bathroom and making threats following an interaction in which the women reportedly rejected his advances.

The incident led to a criminal investigation and widespread public attention. Mudzinganyama subsequently issued an apology, acknowledging that his language and conduct had been unacceptable.

Moriel also announced that he had been removed as executive chairman and director, stating that he would no longer represent or act on behalf of the company.

Criminal Case Continues

Mudzinganyama appeared in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on 1 October 2026, where he was granted bail of R15,000.

He faces 10 charges, including three counts each of intimidation, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and crimen injuria, as well as one count of fraud.

The charges relate to allegations arising from the restaurant incident, including threats against the women and an alleged false claim concerning ownership of the establishment.

His case was subsequently transferred to the regional court for further proceedings. In the latest report located, the matter was postponed to 30 October for a trial date to be set.

Mudzinganyama remains accused and has not been convicted of the charges.

The reported blacklisting represents a further development in the controversy surrounding Moriel Infrastructure Group and its relationship with the state. However, the precise legal basis, effective date and scope of the reported blacklisting have not been independently confirmed.