What started as a disturbing confrontation at an upmarket Sandton restaurant has rapidly escalated into a criminal case, the loss of a top business position, the termination of a luxury residential lease and government investigations into a company linked to Zimbabwean businessman Lawrence Chamurwa Mudzinganyama.

Mudzinganyama was arrested on Sunday after a video filmed at Vlamo restaurant in Sandton showed him allegedly threatening a group of women, including telling one: “I could put a bullet in you now” and “I will murder you now and walk.”

He was released on warning and is expected to appear in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on October 1.

SAPS 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.

The incident, which happened on Friday, September 18, was captured on video and circulated widely on social media.

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 escalated when he was allegedly 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 much wider fallout.

Business ties severed

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The company said he had been removed from both positions and would no longer represent or act on its behalf.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

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 investigations are separate from the criminal case against Mudzinganyama and do not, on their own, establish wrongdoing by the company.

Steyn City cuts ties

The fallout has also reached Mudzinganyama’s home.

Steyn City Properties confirmed that the businessman was a tenant at the luxury residential development and announced that his lease had been terminated.

In a notice to residents, the company said it was seriously concerned about the incident and strongly condemned violence and intimidation.

Steyn City said it would cooperate with the relevant authorities and provide any assistance required for the rule of law to prevail.

“The safety and security of our residents and community remains our highest priority,” the company said.

Mudzinganyama apologises

Mudzinganyama has apologised for his conduct, acknowledging that the language he used during the confrontation was unacceptable.

“I apologise unreservedly to the women involved in the recent incident at Vlamo restaurant in Sandton,” he said in a statement issued in his personal capacity.

“The aggressive and threatening language I used was unacceptable and unjustifiable, regardless of the circumstances that led to the disagreement.”

He said he should have walked away from the confrontation and sought assistance from restaurant management.

“I did not, and I accept responsibility for my words and conduct,” he said.

Mudzinganyama said he understood the seriousness of the incident, particularly against the backdrop of violence against women in South Africa.

He also undertook to cooperate with law enforcement authorities and said he was seeking professional guidance.

“I will undertake an appropriate conflict-management programme to help me respond to conflict and frustration more constructively,” he said.

He acknowledged that an apology could not erase the fear and distress caused.

Calls for accountability

The incident has drawn condemnation from government officials and political figures.

Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga called on Mudzinganyama to hand himself over to police and face the law.

Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia said the threats amounted to unlawful conduct and confirmed that the case was being prioritised. He also called for the businessman’s immigration status to be investigated by the Department of Home Affairs.

ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba also commented on the incident on X, calling for further scrutiny of Mudzinganyama.

For now, the criminal investigation remains ongoing, with Mudzinganyama due back in court on October 1.

In less than 72 hours, the viral footage has transformed what began as a confrontation inside a Sandton restaurant into a criminal case with consequences reaching into Mudzinganyama’s business interests, residential arrangements and dealings with state institutions.

The court proceedings and the separate government investigations will determine what happens next.