Moriel Infrastructure Group, the company linked to Zimbabwean businessman Lawrence Mudzinganyama, has been removed from South Africa’s Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) register following an investigation into alleged misrepresentation of its contractor gradings.

CIDB chief executive officer Macpherson said the board removed the company from the National Register of Contractors on October 15, 2026, after investigating concerns that it had misrepresented its financial and technical capabilities to obtain higher gradings.

The investigation began in 2025, when the CIDB served the company with its first formal notice, according to Macpherson.

He said the company was given an opportunity to respond to the allegations before the board made its decision.

“The subsequent decision to remove Moriel from the National Register of Contractors by the board on the 15th of October thus demonstrates our approach is based on investigation, evidence and due process rather than speculation,” Macpherson said.

The investigation centred on concerns that Moriel may have overstated its financial standing and technical experience to secure higher contractor grades, potentially enabling it to bid for government projects beyond its qualifying capabilities.

Macpherson said the investigation predated the public controversy surrounding Mudzinganyama, whose conduct attracted attention after a video emerged showing him threatening to shoot women during a confrontation at a Sandton restaurant in September.

Mudzinganyama later apologised, describing his language as unacceptable and unjustifiable.

Moriel later confirmed that Mudzinganyama had been removed as the company’s director and executive chairman.

Before its removal, the company held several high-level CIDB gradings, including 8 CE, 8 SB, 8 SK, 7 EP, 7 ME and 7 GB.

The gradings determine the scale and value of construction projects contractors are eligible to undertake.

Macpherson said the CIDB was intensifying efforts to ensure companies accurately disclose their experience and financial position when applying for registration grades.

“When a company misrepresents its experience or financial position to obtain a higher grade, it undermines the integrity of the system,” he said.

He added that 75 contractors had been removed from the CIDB register for breaches of registration requirements over the past two years and more.