By Our Correspondent
South Africa’s Transport Minister Barbara Creecy has instructed the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) board to investigate the appointment of a company linked to Zimbabwean businessman Lawrence Madzinganyama, following a controversial incident at a Sandton restaurant.
In a post on X, the Department of Transport said Creecy had directed the SANRAL board to establish whether Morial Infrastructure Group was lawfully appointed by the roads agency and whether it was fulfilling all its contractual obligations.
The investigation comes after Madzinganyama attracted public scrutiny following a video circulating on social media in which he was allegedly recorded threatening a group of women at Vlamo Restaurant in Sandton, Johannesburg, after one of them reportedly rejected his advances.
A case of intimidation was subsequently reported to police, according to South African media reports.
According to videos widely shared online, Madzinganyama allegedly told the women he would “put a bullet” in them and made further remarks interpreted as threats of violence.
Restaurant management subsequently removed him from the premises.
In a statement issued after the incident, Vlamo Restaurant said Madzinganyama is neither employed by nor affiliated with the establishment. The restaurant condemned the conduct captured in the videos and said it remains committed to maintaining a safe environment for customers and staff.
“Any form of intimidation, harassment or abuse will not be tolerated on our premises,” the restaurant said.
The videos attracted significant attention on social media, where users have condemned the alleged threats and called for accountability.
The controversy has now drawn attention to Morial Infrastructure Group’s business dealings with SANRAL.
Publicly available SANRAL tender records show Morial Infrastructure Group listed in a tender process involving a contract with a value of more than R236 million, although the Department of Transport’s latest statement does not specify which contract is the subject of the ministerial investigation.
SANRAL has confirmed that it is conducting the investigation following Creecy’s instruction.
The probe will focus on whether the company’s appointment complied with applicable procurement requirements and whether it is meeting its contractual responsibilities.
