Zimbabwean Billionaire Simon Rudland Denies Plot to Remove Mnangagwa

Zimbabwean businessman Simon Rudland has publicly denied allegations that he is part of a plot to remove President Emmerson Mnangagwa from office. In a forceful written statement, Rudland rejected what he called a “malicious” social media campaign and addressed a retracted state media report that had linked him to subversive activities.

Rudland’s Official Statement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 26 March 2026

OFFICIAL STATEMENT BY MR. SIMON RUDLAND

It has been brought to my attention that certain malicious allegations have recently been disseminated across social media platforms, specifically X (formerly Twitter), and further amplified by an erroneous report previously published by the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC). While I note the ZBC’s subsequent and formal retraction of said article, I find it imperative to personally address these baseless assertions to prevent any further distortion of the truth.

I wish to place on record my unwavering and absolute support for His Excellency, the President of Zimbabwe, Cde. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa. I hold the President in the highest regard, not only as the leader of our great nation but as a brother.

My commitment is to the development of Zimbabwe. I am fully supportive of the various economic and infrastructural milestones currently being spearheaded by the Second Republic including the Constitutional Amendment Bill No 3. My interests lie solely in the industrial and economic progress of this country, contributing to its growth under the visionary leadership of President Mnangagwa.

I categorically denounce any and all opposition elements seeking to sow seeds of discord or inspire insurrection within our borders. I have absolutely no political ambitions; I have no plans to seek the Presidency, nor do I wish to be associated with individuals or groups whose agendas are treasonous in nature.

Attempts to link my name to “coup plots” or subversive activities are not only defamatory but are an affront to my character as a patriotic Zimbabwean. I distance myself entirely from any elements that seek to destabilize our peace and constitutional order.

Zimbabwe is on a path of transformation. My focus remains on my business interests and contributing to the national vision of an upper-middle-income economy. I urge all citizens and media houses to disregard the “smoke and mirrors” tactics employed by those wishing to distract from the country’s progress.

I reserve all my legal rights to pursue litigation against any party that continues to propagate these falsehoods.

Rudland, the co-founder of Gold Leaf Tobacco Corporation (GLTC), has been accused in recent weeks of secretly bankrolling “Team Gudo”—a political faction reportedly tied to Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.

The Original Article

The following is the original article that first made the allegations:

Kasukuwere, Mambondiani, Rudland, Biti plot to topple Gvt

The Constitution Defenders Forum (CDF), under the stewardship of Tendai Biti, has been implicated in clandestine machinations aimed at violently dislodging Zimbabwe’s constitutionally elected Government. This insidious plot, allegedly orchestrated by Saviour Kasukuwere, Danmore Mambondiani, and Simon Rudland, underscores a perilous attempt to destabilize the nation’s political equilibrium.

Duplicity and financial malfeasance: At the heart of the intrigue lies Saviour Kasukuwere, accused of embezzling funds entrusted to him by Rudland for the unconstitutional removal of President E.D. Mnangagwa’s administration. The irony is stark, a man who once aspired to contest the 2023 presidential elections now stands accused of betraying trust and siphoning resources for nefarious ends. Kasukuwere’s posture as a democrat is belied by his alleged involvement in schemes to topple an elected government. His duplicity, professing democratic ideals while simultaneously engaging in subversion, renders him unworthy of public trust or leadership. The audacity to exploit confidants financially while plotting regime change reveals a profound deficit of integrity.

Fractured alliances and escalating hostilities: The fissures between Kasukuwere and Rudland have widened into open hostility, with allegations of attempted assassinations surfacing amidst the acrimony. What began as financial discord has metastasized into existential threats, exposing the volatility of alliances forged in duplicity.

Biting the hand that feeds: Rudland, whose expansive business empire flourished under the policies of President Mnangagwa’s Government, now appears intent on undermining the very system that enabled his prosperity. This paradox, prosperity derived from state policy yet coupled with betrayal, illustrates the corrosive nature of opportunism. The third conspirator, Danmore Mambondiani, expelled unceremoniously from his role as ZANU PF youth leader in Manicaland Province, has aligned himself with this destabilizing agenda. His trajectory from political rejection to subversive collaboration epitomizes the opportunistic embrace of disorder when legitimate avenues of influence are foreclosed.

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Notes

Chain of Events Regarding the Allegations

• Original Allegations (10 March 2026): ZBC published an article alleging that Simon Rudland, along with self-exiled former Cabinet Minister Saviour Kasukuwere and activist Danmore Mambondiyani, was orchestrating and funding violent protests aimed at unconstitutionally changing the government.

• Smear Campaign and Fabrications (Mid-March 2026): Reports emerged that Rudland had become the target of an orchestrated social media campaign involving AI-generated fabrications used to link him to political subversion.

• Legal Ultimatum (21 March 2026): Through his lawyers, Rudland issued a 48-hour ultimatum to ZBC, demanding a full, unconditional retraction and a public apology for the “false and malicious” claims.

• ZBC Retraction (24 March 2026): Following the legal threat, ZBC retracted the allegations, explicitly stating that Rudland was not planning to overthrow the government.

• Public Distance (26 March 2026): Rudland publicly emphasized his focus on his commercial operations and reaffirmed that he is not involved in active politics.

Primary Companies
These are the core businesses founded or directly controlled by Simon Rudland:

• Gold Leaf Tobacco Corporation (GLTC): The flagship multinational tobacco company he co-founded; it is one of the largest independent cigarette manufacturers in Africa.

• Cut Rag Processors: A Zimbabwean company that recently launched a US$100 million tobacco processing plant in Harare.

• Pioneer Corporation Africa (PCA): The holding company for his logistics interests, which includes various transport and freight subsidiaries.

• Magister Investments: A Mauritius-registered investment vehicle used by the Rudland family to consolidate holdings and pursue major acquisitions like Tongaat Hulett.

• Day River Corporation: An investment vehicle used specifically for acquiring stakes in Zimbabwean blue-chip companies.