There was nothing good about what happened at Vlamo on Friday night… but what those brave women, authorities, government, businesses and South Africans on social media did afterwards is a story worth telling.
Johannesburg, South Africa (21 September 2026) – South Africans have had a really difficult week. We have been talking about women being murdered and about just how unsafe so many people feel in our country. And then, on Friday night, a disturbing video went viral.
A man at a restaurant in Sandton was filmed threatening a group of women, telling them that he was wealthy and, at one point, saying, “I could put a bullet in you now”.
He also told them, “I will murder you now and walk”.
The incident happened at Vlamo Restaurant at Sandton Gate on Friday, the 18th of September. According to authorities, Lawrence Chamurwa Mudzinganyama approached a group of women who were attending a private birthday dinner and offered to take photographs. They declined, and after he later asked one of the women for her phone number and was asked to leave them alone, the situation escalated. Authorities say Mudzinganyama became aggressive and verbally abusive before following the women into the ladies’ powder-room area, where the viral footage was recorded. Waiters eventually intervened and removed him from the area.
Here’s a man threatening to shoot women just coz they didn’t want him. Thinks he’ll get away with it coz he knows the owner of @UkkoRestaurant and coz he lives in Steyn City. Men like these can longer be allowed to live freely amongst us. Please make him trend and let’s find him pic.twitter.com/ZN8AhH2eNs
— Tumisho Masha (@TumishoMasha) September 19, 2026
According to authorities, one of his companions later approached the complainant, apologised and reportedly urged her not to escalate the matter because Mudzinganyama was “well-connected”.
She took it further.
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The video spread across social media, South Africans shared their opinions, journalists started asking questions and eventually Mudzinganyama was identified. By Sunday, he had been arrested and the Gauteng Provincial Investigation Unit stated that they are investigating a case of intimidation. He is expected to appear in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on the 1st of October 2026.
But the consequences did not end with his arrest.
Mudzinganyama was Executive Chairman and a director of Moriel Infrastructure Group. The company announced that it had terminated its association with him with immediate effect and removed him from both positions.
“The conduct shown in the footage is inconsistent with the organisation’s values,” Moriel said in a statement (which may actually have been written by him… this remains unconfirmed).
Steyn City Properties also confirmed that Mudzinganyama, who had been a tenant at the luxury Johannesburg estate, had his lease terminated. “The incident is of serious concern to us. We strongly condemn any act of violence or intimidation,” Steyn City said.
The fallout has now reached his business interests too. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy instructed the SANRAL board to investigate Moriel Infrastructure Group, while Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson instructed the Construction Industry Development Board to investigate allegations relating to the company’s contractor gradings. Those investigations are ongoing and no findings have yet been made. Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has also asked the Department of Home Affairs to investigate Mudzinganyama’s immigration status. Again, no findings have shown that he is unlawfully in South Africa but they are investigating.
By Sunday, Mudzinganyama had issued a public apology.
“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,” he said.
“I recognise that an apology cannot erase the fear and distress caused. I must now demonstrate accountability through meaningful, sustained action and ensure that this conduct is never repeated.”
There is nothing good about what happened to those women on Friday night but what happened afterwards is what we want to focus on. That is why we are reporting on the story. The victims recorded what had happened and then reported it. The restaurant stood with them. South Africans started asking questions online, journalists started digging, police acted and the organisations connected to Mudzinganyama responded.
All within roughly 48 hours.
We spend so much time talking about the South Africa we want to live in. One where women feel safe, where people stand up for each other, where money and connections do not put anyone above accountability and where doing the right thing actually means something. This weekend we got a glimpse of that South Africa. It started with women refusing to be intimidated and it continued with a whole lot of people choosing to stand with them.
There are good people everywhere. And when enough of them stand together, good things can happen.
by 
