Man accused of threatening to kill women in viral Sandton video released on warning

Zimbabwean businessman, Lawrence Mudzinganyama, who was arrested after allegedly threatening to kill women at a Sandton restaurant, has been released on warning.

The incident was captured on video and widely circulated on social media after the women allegedly rejected his romantic advances.

Mudzinganyama is expected to appear in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on 1 October.

Police say his release will give investigators time to gather evidence and establish a prima facie case before court proceedings continue.

Police have also stressed that while the video has circulated widely online, investigators cannot rely on social media alone and must follow due process to gather and verify evidence.

Mudzinganyama has since issued a public apology, which has raised the ire of many.

Meanwhile, Steyn City has confirmed that it has terminated Mudzinganyama’s lease, while his company is also under investigation.

Public Works Minister, Dean Macpherson, says investigations into companies linked to Mudzinganyama were conducted in 2025 over various alleged offences.

The minister says authorities now want to review the businessman’s company documents to verify their validity.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister, Barbara Creecy, has also directed the board of the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) to investigate engineering and construction company, Moriel Infrastructure Group, which is associated with Mudzinganyama.

Creecy wants SANRAL to establish whether the company was appointed in accordance with the law. 

The company has reportedly secured millions of rands in government contracts.

Moriel Infrastructure Group has since distanced itself from the businessman and terminated its association with him.

Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa says government will deploy additional funding and resources to strengthen the fight against gender-based violence and femicide.

Speaking on the sidelines of the ANC Veterans League’s fundraising golf day in Woodmead on Monday, Ramaphosa said women in South Africa should never have to live in fear of men.

His remarks come as the country reels from a string of gruesome killings of women in Ekurhuleni, as well as the latest discovery in Soweto, where the body of a young woman was found at Moroka Dam.

Ramaphosa says gender-based violence remains a national crisis and has vowed to intensify efforts to prevent violence against women.

Everything has turned sour for businessman Lawrence Chamurwa Mudzinganyama following the viral video filmed at VLAMO in Sandton on Thursday, in which he threatened to kill a woman.
Mudzinganyama has been charged & is expected to make his first appearance in the Randburg… pic.twitter.com/ZbtHFNHdMp

— Sanele Nkosi (@sanelenkosiii) September 20, 2026

Now we need to have his property removed from Airbnb@Airbnb This is a safety concern that warrants your attention. On 19 September 2026, a video circulated showing Lawrence Chamurwa Mudzinganyama confronting women at VLAMO Restaurant in Sandton and making threats including… pic.twitter.com/kn4Gjw0d30

— SAFirst🇿🇦 (@_SAFirst_) September 21, 2026

Good Morning Satafrika, can we please make sure that by 5pm we have this cloth called Lawrence Chamurwa Mudzinganyama and his wealthy self in jail or we will deal with him. You can go around and doing such. I’m here to protect our Queens and our Country so let’s go. pic.twitter.com/hsX6IxoInc

— Zola Hashatsi ka Motsiri (@zola_hashatsi) September 20, 2026

Steyn City has kicked out a Lawrence Chamurwa Mudzinganyama.

Steyn City has terminated the lease of a tenant after a video of him in a threatening and intimidating incident off-site went viral in the media.The luxury estate said the incident is of serious concern and they pic.twitter.com/fT7RUaU7Dg

— Zola Hashatsi ka Motsiri (@zola_hashatsi) September 20, 2026