A 40-year-old man accused of threatening and assaulting three people at Vlamo Restaurant in Randburg has been granted R15,000 bail.
Lawrence Chamurwa Mudzinganyama appeared in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court on Thursday following his arrest on 20 September 2026.
Mudzinganyama initially faced a charge of intimidation and was released on warning.
However, following further investigations, including witness statements and video footage, the State brought additional charges against him.
He now faces three counts of intimidation, three counts of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm, three counts of crimen injuria and one count of fraud.
The charges relate to an alleged incident at Vlamo Restaurant on 18 September.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority, Mudzinganyama allegedly entered the restaurant’s female powder room and demanded to photograph one of the witnesses.
The State alleges that he subsequently threatened three witnesses with violence and death.
He also faces three counts of crimen injuria over allegations that he insulted the complainants and impaired their dignity by calling them a derogatory name in the presence of other people.
The fraud charge relates to an allegation that Mudzinganyama falsely presented himself to the witnesses as the owner of Vlamo Restaurant, despite allegedly knowing that he was not the lawful owner.
The State applied for his release on warning to be reconsidered and for bail to be imposed in the interests of justice.
The court granted bail of R15,000 with several conditions.
Mudzinganyama must report once a week to the Randburg Police Station, surrender his passport and other travel documents to the investigating officer and may not leave Gauteng without permission.
He is also prohibited from directly or indirectly interfering with witnesses, including Vlamo Restaurant staff.
The matter has been postponed to 15 October 2026, when it is expected to be transferred to the regional court.
The NPA said it remains committed to prosecuting allegations involving violence, threats and intimidation, particularly where women are affected, while stressing the importance of impartial prosecutions.
