SA-based Zimbabwean businessman Mudzinganyama pays high price for bragging about his wealth, threatening 3 women in Sandton restaurant
Moriel Infrastructure Group, the company linked to Zimbabwean businessman Lawrence Chamurwa Mudzinganyama, has been removed from South Africa’s Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Register of Contractors.
The development follows a restaurant incident that thrust Mudzinganyama and his business dealings into the spotlight. A video circulated online in September showing him threatening women at Vlamo restaurant in Sandton. He was heard threatening to shoot and kill them.
Police opened an intimidation case against Mudzinganyama after the incident. He was later granted R15,000 bail while facing 10 charges, including intimidation, fraud, crimen injuria and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The charges are allegations and the criminal case is separate from the CIDB decision.
Moriel removed Mudzinganyama as its executive chairman and director after the video emerged, saying he would no longer represent or act on behalf of the company.
The incident also brought greater attention to Moriel’s government work.
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson ordered the CIDB to investigate allegations that the company obtained multiple contractor gradings on the same day and may not have met the requirements for them.
CIDB removes Moriel from register
The CIDB investigation focused on the company’s construction gradings, which determine the scale of public-sector work a contractor can undertake.
Moriel’s removal from the register could affect its eligibility to bid for government construction contracts requiring active CIDB registration.
Separately, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy directed the South African National Roads Agency to examine whether Moriel was lawfully appointed to its contracts and whether it was meeting its contractual obligations.
The CIDB removal is a regulatory development concerning Moriel’s registration. It is separate from the criminal proceedings against Mudzinganyama over the restaurant incident. *nehandaradio*
