25 September 2026 | 12:05

POLOKWANE — Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba has criticised government officials over what she described as weaknesses in South Africa’s immigration, policing and state procurement systems, saying officials have created conditions in which people can enter the country and allegedly take advantage of the state.

Ramathuba made the remarks on Wednesday at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane during the handover of new law-enforcement vehicles to traffic officers. The event formed part of Limpopo’s efforts to strengthen law-enforcement visibility and road safety. 

Her comments came amid national scrutiny of Zimbabwean businessman Lawrence Chamurwa Mudzinganyama, who was arrested after a video circulated showing him allegedly threatening women at a Sandton restaurant.

Mudzinganyama has since been released on warning and is expected to appear in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on 1 October 2026. Police say investigations are continuing. 

‘We have weakened our government’

Ramathuba used the incident to question how individuals who allegedly disregard South African laws are able to operate within the country.

“Almost everybody who wants to disrespect [the law] comes to South Africa.”

She then directed her criticism at government officials, saying the problem was not simply about foreign nationals but also about weaknesses within the state.

“We have weakened our government and are underestimated by people from other countries.”

According to Ramathuba, officials must examine how immigration, policing and other government systems are being administered and whether corruption or poor oversight is creating opportunities for abuse. 

She also accused corrupt police officials of allowing undocumented people to enter South Africa by accepting bribes, describing such conduct as effectively selling access to the country.

Those allegations are broader than the individual criminal case involving Mudzinganyama and were presented by Ramathuba as part of her criticism of government systems.

Mudzinganyama case puts state contracts under scrutiny

The controversy began after footage from a Sandton restaurant circulated widely on social media.

In the footage, Mudzinganyama is heard threatening women during an altercation. Police subsequently confirmed that an intimidation case had been opened.

Mudzinganyama handed himself over at Randburg police station on 20 September and was arrested before being released on warning. Police said they were continuing to gather evidence and statements before the docket would be submitted to a senior public prosecutor. 

The incident subsequently triggered questions about Mudzinganyama’s business interests and dealings with government.

He was previously executive chairperson and a director of Moriel Infrastructure Group, a construction and engineering company that has held government contracts.

Moriel has since removed Mudzinganyama from both positions and said he would no longer represent or act on behalf of the company. 

SANRAL launches investigation

The South African National Roads Agency, SANRAL, confirmed that Moriel Infrastructure Group has two contracts involving national roads.

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy instructed the SANRAL board to establish whether the company was appointed lawfully and whether it was complying with the terms of its contracts. 

The investigation does not, by itself, establish that Moriel obtained its contracts improperly or that the company committed wrongdoing.

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson also directed the Construction Industry Development Board to investigate allegations concerning Moriel’s construction industry gradings.

The investigation follows allegations that several gradings were obtained on the same day and questions over whether the company met the requirements for those gradings. 

The eThekwini contract

The scrutiny has also extended to KwaZulu-Natal.

The eThekwini Municipality confirmed that Moriel Infrastructure Group was awarded a contract worth about R16.1 million for the North Park sewer reticulation, tie-in and associated works project.

The municipality has said the contract remains in place and that it would not prejudge any criminal or legal process involving Mudzinganyama. 

ActionSA has separately called for an investigation into the procurement process surrounding the contract.

Ramathuba says government must look inward

For Ramathuba, the controversy raises questions beyond the conduct of one individual.

She argued that government must examine whether officials are properly enforcing immigration laws, preventing corruption and conducting adequate checks when companies and individuals do business with the state.

Her comments also reflect a broader concern about the capacity of government institutions to enforce the law consistently.

The Limpopo premier has previously made law-enforcement and undocumented immigration issues a focus of provincial government operations. In August, the provincial government reported that Operation Retshepeng resulted in more than 128 undocumented foreign nationals being arrested, alongside arrests of South African suspects wanted in connection with various crimes. 

What happens next?

The Mudzinganyama matter now has several separate processes unfolding:

• Criminal case: Mudzinganyama is due back in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on 1 October 2026 on an intimidation charge. 
• SANRAL investigation: The roads agency is examining Moriel Infrastructure Group’s appointment and contractual compliance. 
• CIDB investigation: The Construction Industry Development Board is investigating allegations surrounding the company’s construction gradings. 
• Municipal scrutiny: Questions have also been raised about the company’s eThekwini contract. 

For now, none of these investigations has established that Moriel Infrastructure Group unlawfully obtained government contracts, and the criminal allegations against Mudzinganyama remain matters for the courts.

Ramathuba’s intervention has nevertheless placed the controversy within a wider debate about border management, corruption, government accountability and the ability of state institutions to enforce their own rules.

FACT BOX

Who: Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba
Where: Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane
When: 23 September 2026
Issue: Government accountability, immigration enforcement and the Mudzinganyama controversy
Criminal case: Intimidation
Next court appearance: 1 October 2026
Business under scrutiny: Moriel Infrastructure Group
Investigations: SANRAL and CIDB, among others

Crime Connect Legal Note: The allegations against Mudzinganyama have not been proven in court. Investigations into Moriel Infrastructure Group’s government contracts and CIDB gradings are ongoing and should not be treated as findings of wrongdoing.