Sandton Restaurant Toilet Incident: Man Granted R15,000 Bail

A 40-year-old man accused of threatening three people with violence and death at a Sandton restaurant has been granted R15,000 bail.

Lawrence Chamurwa Mudzinganyama appeared in the Randburg Magistrates' Court on Thursday in connection with an incident at Vlamo Restaurant on September 18. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said Mudzinganyama faces multiple charges stemming from the incident.

The charges include 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.

Sandton Restaurant Incident Leads To Multiple Charges

The state alleges that Mudzinganyama entered the women's powder room at Vlamo Restaurant and demanded to photograph one of the witnesses.

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Prosecutors further allege that he threatened three witnesses with violence and death. The crimen injuria charges relate to allegations that he insulted the complainants and damaged their dignity by referring to them by a derogatory name in the presence of other people.

The fraud charge relates to an allegation that Mudzinganyama claimed he was the owner of Vlamo Restaurant, despite allegedly knowing that he was not its lawful owner.

Sandton Man's Charges Expanded After Investigation

Mudzinganyama was arrested at the Randburg police station on September 20. He was initially released on a warning after being charged with intimidation.

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According to Kganyago, investigators subsequently obtained additional witness statements and video footage as part of the investigation. The state then approached the court to reconsider his release on warning and sought bail in the interests of justice.

The court ultimately granted Mudzinganyama bail of R15,000, subject to several conditions.

R15,000 Bail Comes With Strict Conditions

As part of his bail conditions, Mudzinganyama must report to the Randburg police station once a week. He has also been ordered not to contact or interfere with witnesses, either directly or indirectly, including employees at Vlamo Restaurant.

The accused must surrender his passport and any other travel documents to the investigating officer. He has further been prohibited from leaving Gauteng until the matter has been finalised.

The case was postponed to October 15, when it is expected to be transferred to the regional court.