Zimbabwean Businessman ‘Sorry’ For Threatening to Murder Women at South African Restaurant

ZIMBABWEAN national Lawrence Mudzinganyama has issued a public apology to the women he threatened to murder at Sandton restaurant, Vlamo, on Friday, 18 September.

This comes after the restaurant owner opened a case of intimidation against the Zimbabwean businessman.

The Department of Transport, as well as the Department of Public Works are also investigating a R107 million SANRAL tender awarded to his company, Moriel Infrastructure Group.

On Sunday, after trending on X all weekend, Mudzinganyama issued a statement in his personal capacity apologising for his comments threatening to unalive a group of women at Vlamo restaurant.

In a video that has gone viral, the Zimbabwean businessman claimed he was capable of murder, and getting away with it, due to his wealth and status.

The statement read: “I apologise unreservedly to the women involved in the recent incident at Vlamo restaurant in Sandton. The aggressive and threatening language I used was unacceptable and unjustifiable, regardless of the circumstances that led to the disagreement.

“I should have exercised restraint, removed myself from the situation and sought assistance from the restaurant’s management. I did not, and I accept responsibility for my words and conduct.

Mudzinganyama stated that he “deeply regretted” the “fear and distress I caused, as well as the public concern generated by the footage”. He added that he “recognised the seriousness of my conduct, particularly in a country confronting unacceptable levels of violence against women”.

Mudzinganyama vowed to co-operate with law enforcement in the investigation into his conduct, adding that he would be “seeking professional guidance and will undertake an appropriate conflict-management programme to help me respond to conflict and frustration more constructively”

In a video that has gone viral on social media, Lawrence Mudzinganyama was filmed making physical threats against a group of women, who had allegedly rejected his romantic advances.

The incident took place in Vlamo restaurant’s “powder room”. In the clip, the Zimbabwean national said: “I will put a bullet in you now. I will murder you now and walk. I can buy this restaurant and own it. You can say no in a nice way.

“I’m a wealthy man. You guys are poor ladies”.

The man was escorted off the premises after the restaurant owner intervened.

Lawrence Mudzinganyama was taken into police custody on Thursday morning in connection with the threats, which occurred at the newly opened Vlamo restaurant at Sandton Gate.

Police confirmed Mudzinganyama’s arrest and stated that he was subsequently released on a warning. He is expected to appear in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on October 1.

The incident has drawn high-level government attention. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia announced that the Department of Home Affairs should look into the businessman’s immigration standing in South Africa.

“If he isn’t here legally, other matters can be considered,” Cachalia said.

The viral footage and subsequent release of the suspect have ignited widespread public outrage online. South Africans criticized the decision to release him on a warning, noting that the incident comes at the worst possible time given a recent wave of gender-based violence (GBV) discoveries across Gauteng.

At this stage, Mudzinganyama has not been found guilty of any offence. The allegations against him have not been proven in court, and he is presumed innocent until proven otherwise. – Zimbo LIVE London

Thereafter, Vlamo released a statement, condemning the man’s actions and confirming that a case of intimidation had been opened against him.

As a result of the public scrutiny, Minister of Transport Barbara Creezy instructed the SANRAL board to investigate a R107 million tender awarded to Mudzinganyama’s engineering and construction company, Moriel Infrastructure Group.

The Minister of Public Works, Dean Macpherson, has also called for an investigation over allegations that Mudzinganyama had irregularly acquired multiple gradings from the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) all on the same day.

The Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Ms Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, MP, joined the calls strongly condemning the misogynistic conduct directed at the group of women.

Letsike welcomed Moriel Infrastructure Group’s removal of Mr Mudzinganyama as Executive Chairman and Director, Steyn City Properties’ termination of his lease, and the investigations ordered by Ministers Barbara Creecy and Dean Macpherson into the company’s SANRAL contracts and CIDB gradings.

These actions do not replace the criminal investigation, nor should anyone prejudge the outcome of the judicial process. They demonstrate, however, that threats against women carry social, institutional and economic consequences and cannot be dismissed through an apology or an appeal to wealth and influence. Perpetrators of gender based violence and femicide must have no place to hide within the borders of the Republic of South Africa, she said.