SANDTON RESTAURANT THREAT CASE ESCALATES IN VIRAL VIDEO!
By AKASIA EXPRESS NEWS REPORTER
A case of intimidation is being investigated after a disturbing video showing a man allegedly threatening to shoot and kill a group of women at a Sandton restaurant went viral on social media.
The incident happened at Vlamo Restaurant at Sandton Gate on Thursday, 18 September 2026, during a private birthday dinner. According to reports, the confrontation began after the man allegedly approached the women and offered to take photographs before asking one of them for her telephone number.
When his advances were reportedly rejected and he was asked to leave the group alone, the situation allegedly escalated.
Footage circulating online shows the man confronting the women in or near the restaurant’s ladies’ powder-room area. He is heard making threats, including saying that he would “put a bullet” in them and that he would “murder” them and walk away.
The man is also heard claiming that he was wealthy and could buy and own the restaurant.
The women are not visible in the widely circulated footage, but the audio captures the confrontation and the threats.
The incident has now moved beyond social-media outrage, with a formal intimidation case reportedly opened at Randburg police station.
The Gauteng Provincial Investigation Unit is handling the investigation, according to reports quoting the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security cluster.
Vlamo owner Mun Manal has also confirmed that a case was opened following the incident.
The restaurant has said it is cooperating with investigators and will provide relevant footage and information.
The case could potentially take on further significance if investigators establish that the threats were credible and that the suspect had access to a firearm.
The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security cluster called on the women involved to formally come forward and lay criminal charges. It said that a criminal case could also enable the Designated Firearms Officer to consider proceedings under Section 102 of the Firearms Control Act, which deals with a person’s fitness to possess a firearm.
However, no firearm was visible in the video and there have been no reports of anyone being physically injured during the incident.
RESTAURANT DISTANCES ITSELF FROM MAN!
Vlamo has moved quickly to distance itself from claims allegedly made by the man during the confrontation.
In a statement, the restaurant said the individual was not an owner, employee or person associated with the establishment, despite claims made during the confrontation.
Management said the man was removed from the premises after it became aware of what had happened.
MAN IDENTIFIED IN REPORTS!
Several South African media outlets have identified the man in the footage as Lawrence Chamurwa Mudzingayima, a Zimbabwean businessman linked to the engineering and construction company Moriel Infrastructure Group.
A person’s identification in media reports does not, however, amount to a criminal conviction, and the allegations remain subject to police investigation and due process.
The development has also brought scrutiny to Mudzingayima’s business interests.
SANRAL CONTRACT COMES UNDER SCRUTINY!
In a separate development triggered by the controversy, Transport Minister Barbara Creecy instructed the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) board to investigate whether Moriel Infrastructure Group was lawfully appointed to a SANRAL contract and whether it is fulfilling its contractual obligations.
SANRAL confirmed that it would conduct the investigation.
The contract has been reported by several media organisations as being worth approximately R107 million.
The SANRAL development is separate from the intimidation investigation. It does not establish wrongdoing by the company or its directors, and the transport-related review concerns the legality and contractual compliance of the company’s appointment.
SANRAL’s publicly available tender information also shows Moriel Infrastructure Group appearing among bidders on SANRAL procurement processes, although individual tender values and the final awarded amount need to be distinguished carefully from amounts tendered by competing companies.