Moriel Infrastructure Group has been removed from South Africa’s National Register of Contractors. The construction company was once linked to Zimbabwean businessman Lawrence Mudzinganyama.
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson announced the decision on Tuesday, 27 October 2026. He said the company was removed after findings that it misrepresented facts in its registration applications.
According to the South African Government News Agency, the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) approved the removals on 15 October.
“The CIDB commenced its investigation into the company in 2025 and served its first formal notice that year,” Macpherson said.
The minister said a second notice was served on 11 September 2026. He said Moriel was given a chance to respond before the board made its decision.
The investigation looked at whether the company gave a true picture of its financial and technical abilities. These details were part of its applications for higher contractor grades, The South African reported.
Moriel previously held several high CIDB grades. These included 8CE, 8SB, 8SK, 7EP, 7ME and 7GB.
The grades decide which types and sizes of construction work a contractor may bid for. They are based on the company’s assessed abilities.
Macpherson warned that companies which lie about their experience or money could compete for government projects. He said such companies may not be able to deliver that work.
Moriel was one of 13 construction companies removed from the register in this round, according to the government’s announcement.
The other companies named included RTZ Construction and Projects, Shumani Development and Magagamela Trade and Projects. Exxeding Grace and King Tar Construction were also on the list.
The government said 75 contractors have now been removed from the register since June 2024. Only one contractor was removed between 2002 and June 2024, it said.
The CIDB falls under the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. It handles the registration and grading of contractors in South Africa.
Macpherson said the investigation began in 2025. This was before Mudzinganyama drew wide public attention after a confrontation at a Sandton restaurant in September 2026.
Mudzinganyama was Moriel’s executive chairman and a director. He was charged in connection with the Sandton incident after a video was shared on social media.
Moriel later announced that he had been removed from his leadership roles at the company.
Macpherson said the investigation into the company came before that matter. He said the criminal allegations against Mudzinganyama are a separate issue for the justice system.
The status of any contracts Moriel already holds would need to be checked separately, The South African reported.
Source: this article is based on reporting by The South African. Image: The South African. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Business desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Anelisa Nkuna covers business and money news for Tzaneen Voice. Anelisa reports on the rand, fuel prices, interest rates, jobs, Eskom, Transnet, farming and company results. The aim is simple: explain what the numbers mean for household budgets, small businesses and workers in South Africa.