Mthobisi Nozulela|Published
Moriel Infrastructure Group, the company linked to Zimbabwean businessman Lawrence Mudzinganyama, has been removed from the Construction Industry Development Board’s (CIDB) register following an investigation into alleged misrepresentation of its contractor gradings
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson revealed this at a media briefing on Tuesday, where he announced that 15 contractors had been removed from the register in October as part of efforts to crack down on misrepresentation in the construction industry.
“The CIDB commenced its investigation into the company in 2025 and served its first formal notice that year,” he said.
Why Moriel was removed
Macpherson said the company was investigated over concerns that it had misrepresented its financial and technical capabilities to obtain higher contractor gradings, potentially allowing it to secure government contracts for which it was not qualified.
“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,” he said.
Macpherson stressed that the investigation predated the public controversy surrounding Mudzinganyama.
“This was initiated before, but they were certainly amplified by a video showing an individual at a restaurant in Sandton,” he said.
The video showed Mudzinganyama threatening to shoot women during a confrontation at a Sandton restaurant in September. He later apologised for his behaviour, describing his language as unacceptable and unjustifiable.
Moriel also issued a statement confirming that Mudzinganyama had been removed as its director and executive chairman.
Macpherson said Moriel held several high-level CIDB gradings, including 8 CE, 8 SB, 8 SK, 7 EP, 7 ME and 7 GB.
What the CIDB gradings mean
The gradings determine the type and value of construction work a company can undertake. The investigation focused on concerns that Moriel may have misrepresented its financial and technical capabilities to obtain higher gradings.
Macpherson said Moriel was given an opportunity to respond to the allegations before the CIDB board made its decision on October 15 2026.
He said the removal was part of a wider effort to ensure contractors provide accurate information about 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,” Macpherson said.
He announced that 75 contractors had now been removed from the CIDB register for breaches of registration requirements in just over two years.
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