News Desk Reporter
A man caught on camera threatening women at a Sandton restaurant is at the centre of a police investigation, while a company linked to him is also facing government investigations.
The incident happened at Vlāmo Restaurant at Sandton Gate in Glenadrienne on 18 September.
The JCPS cluster said social media identified the man as Lawrence Chamurwa Mudzinganyama.
It did not say police had formally established his identity.
According to the JCPS, the complainant was attending a private birthday dinner when the man approached her and her companions.
He allegedly offered to take photographs, but they declined. He later asked the complainant for her telephone number.
When she asked him to leave them alone, he allegedly became aggressive and verbally abusive.
The JCPS said he threatened to shoot and murder the complainant, including threatening to put a bullet in her.
In footage circulating online, the man is heard saying: “I will murder you now and walk.”
He is also heard saying: “I’ll put a bullet in all of you.”
The man is heard claiming to be wealthy and saying he owned the restaurant.
The footage appears to have been recorded inside the restaurant’s ladies’ bathroom.
The JCPS said waiters intervened and removed him from the area. It said no firearm was seen and no physical injuries were reported.
Vlāmo confirmed that the incident took place at the restaurant.
In a statement, the restaurant said the man was not affiliated with, employed by or associated with Vlāmo, despite claims made during the incident.
“Immediate action was taken, and the individual was removed from the premises,” Vlāmo said.
The restaurant said it has a zero-tolerance approach to behaviour that compromises the safety or experience of guests and staff.
“The behaviour captured in the video does not reflect the values, standards or environment we work hard to uphold,” it said.
Vlāmo said its immediate concern was the wellbeing of the women involved and that it remained in contact with them to provide support through appropriate processes.
The restaurant said it and the affected parties reported the incident to police on 19 September, with a case number issued.
Vlāmo said it would co-operate with police and provide relevant footage and information to assist the investigation. It has also indicated that visible security personnel will be present at the restaurant as an additional safety measure.
Mudzinganyama is the founder of Moriel Infrastructure Group, an engineering and construction company that has worked on projects for the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL).
Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has instructed the SANRAL board to investigate whether Moriel Infrastructure Group was lawfully appointed and whether it is meeting its contractual obligations. SANRAL said it was investigating the matter at the minister’s request.
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has also directed the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) to investigate allegations concerning Moriel’s CIDB gradings.
The investigation will examine allegations that the company obtained multiple gradings on the same day and whether it met the requirements for those gradings.