Ramathuba: South Africa has become destination for those who disrespect the law amid Mudzinganyama fallout

Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba has criticised government officials for allegedly allowing foreign nationals who disrespect the law to enter South Africa, comments she made as controversy swirls around Zimbabwean businessman Lawrence Chamurwa Mudzinganyama.

Remarks at vehicle handover in Polokwane

Ramathuba spoke at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane during the handover of new law enforcement vehicles to traffic officers. She said South Africa has become a destination for people who do not respect the law and blamed weaknesses in immigration and law enforcement systems.

On the restaurant incident involving Mudzinganyama, Ramathuba linked his behaviour to alcohol and questioned how he had secured government tenders. She said:

“Stop drinking today, and when you want to drive, you can’t get into a car when you’re drunk. When you’re drunk, your brain is affected. You must go and ask a neurosurgeon; they will tell you alcohol affects your brain. You stop reasoning, you stop thinking.”

She also said:

“Almost everybody who wants to disrespect [the law] comes to South Africa. Everybody who doesn’t want to respect the law, you come to South Africa … you know why? Because of us, government officials. We have weakened our government and are [being] underestimated by people from other countries, and in their countries they will never do that.”

About Mudzinganyama specifically she added:

“He came here to South Africa to tell us about poverty. Where he comes from, what kind of poverty did he leave behind there? He must start by solving his country’s poverty first.”

Background: the Sandton restaurant video and legal action

The remarks followed the circulation of a viral video showing Mudzinganyama at Vlamo restaurant at Sandton Gate allegedly making threats against women, including saying, “I’ll murder you now and walk” and “I’ll put a bullet in all of you.” The footage reportedly captured the incident inside the restaurant’s ladies’ bathroom.

Vlamo said Mudzinganyama was removed from the premises once management became aware of the incident, that he was not affiliated with the restaurant, and that a case had been opened with the police. Police confirmed Mudzinganyama handed himself over at the Randburg police station; he was arrested, charged with intimidation and released on a warning. He is due to appear in court on October 1.

Contract and procurement scrutiny

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Ltd (SANRAL) confirmed it has two contracts with Moriel Infrastructure Group, which is chaired by Mudzinganyama. The projects are located on the N1 and N2 national roads.

SANRAL said it had noted with concern a video circulating on social media and that it was investigating whether Moriel Infrastructure Group was lawfully appointed by the agency and whether it is fulfilling its contractual obligations.

“The investigation into the matter has started,”

SANRAL acting chief executive Lehlohonolo Memeza said in a statement.

SANRAL said it was consulting lawyers on possible action against Moriel Infrastructure Group for bringing the agency’s reputation into disrepute and was reviewing policies to consider excluding companies whose directors or senior managers are implicated in gender-based violence from future contracts.

Separately, Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has directed the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) to investigate allegations that Moriel Infrastructure Group obtained multiple CIDB gradings on the same day and whether the company met the requirements for those gradings. The CIDB was instructed to investigate the circumstances and report back.

Corporate response

In the wake of the incident, Moriel Infrastructure Group announced Mudzinganyama’s immediate removal and said he would no longer represent, speak for, or act on behalf of the group in any capacity. The board described his behaviour as inconsistent with the organisation’s values and said it unequivocally condemned violence, threats and intimidation against women.