Moriel Infrastructure Group, which previously held several high qualification ratings in the construction industry, has been excluded from the national contractor register. This occurred following an investigation into its financial and technical capabilities.
Moriel Infrastructure Group is associated with Zimbabwean businessman Lawrence Madzinganyama. The decision to exclude the company was made by the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) on October 15, 2026. The reason cited was suspicion of misrepresenting the company's qualifications.
Previously, Moriel held six high ratings: 8 CE, 8 SB, 8 SK, 7 EP, 7 ME, and 7 GB. These ratings determine the scope and type of construction work the company can undertake within the CIDB system. Contractors with a rating of 7 can bid on contracts worth up to 60 million rand, while contractors with a rating of 8 can participate in projects up to 200 million rand in the corresponding category of work.
The rating system is designed to ensure that companies possess the necessary experience and financial resources to execute projects at the declared level. However, concerns regarding Moriel's stated capabilities led to an official investigation.
Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean McPherson stated that CIDB began investigating the company in 2025 and issued the first official notification that same year. A subsequent notification was issued on September 11, 2026, and a month later, the board decided to remove the company from the register.
The investigation was initiated long before Madzinganyama attracted widespread public attention after a confrontation with women in a restaurant in Sandton in September. Video footage of this incident circulated on social media, showing him threatening women. He later apologized for his behavior, calling his remarks unacceptable and unjustified.
Following this, Moriel announced that Madzinganyama had been removed from his positions as director and executive chairman. McPherson emphasized that the regulatory investigation was separate from the public outcry. He noted that although the investigation started earlier, it was 'definitely amplified by the video showing the man in the Sandton restaurant.'
The Minister also stated that Moriel was given an opportunity to respond to the allegations before the board's decision. 'The board's subsequent decision to exclude Moriel from the National Contractor Register on October 15 demonstrates that our approach is based on investigation, evidence, and due legal process, not speculation,' he said.
McPherson warned that providing false information about a company's experience or financial standing to obtain a higher rating can give it an unfair advantage over competitors who have honestly built their track records. He explained that when a company falsifies its data, it undermines the integrity of the system, creates an uneven playing field for legitimate businesses, and puts public projects at risk from contractors who may lack the necessary competence to complete the contracted work.
He cautioned that companies lacking the required skills, experience, or financial resources can jeopardize public projects, leading to delays, abandoned works, and financial losses. The Minister added that CIDB is strengthening application vetting, especially for higher ratings, and moving towards direct verification of information provided by contractors.
The exclusion of Moriel is part of a broader compliance campaign. McPherson reported that over two years, 75 contractors have been removed from the register for failing to meet registration requirements. He concluded: 'Ultimately, it is ordinary South African citizens who bear the costs when public infrastructure is not implemented or repaired because the work was not initially carried out to the required standard.'
