HARARE – Business tycoon Simon Rudland has swung back at an Al Jazeera investigation, demanding an apology for alleged wrongful portrayal of his character. Al Jazeera claimed to have obtained details of how Rudland launders money through Zimbabwean and South African companies.
Rudland, who is the owner of Gold Leaf Tobacco – one of Southern Africa’s biggest cigarette brands – was mentioned by self-confessed gold smuggler Ewan MacMillan in the opening episode of the Al Jazeera documentary.
MacMillan claimed that Rudland bankrolls the whole of Zimbabwe through the smuggling of gold to countries such as Dubai. Al Jazeera argued the smuggling was intended to launder money as well as break Western sanctions imposed on the country during the regime of former President Robert Mugabe.
“This country, Zimbabwe, has sanctions so the country can’t sell the gold anywhere in the world, but an individual can sell it because he doesn’t have sanctions,” said MacMillan.
Rudland denied all allegations, telling Al Jazeera that there was a smear campaign from rival business moguls. “I deny all allegations made against me concerning gold smuggling, money laundering or collusion with any government. The allegations are false, made without any proof and the documentary is extremely sensationalised and propaganda.”
Al Jazeera’s undercover operation also implicated President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Special Envoy Uebert Angel and niece Henrietta Rushwaya.
Rudland has now urged Al Jazeera to retract their statements and issue a public apology. “I deny all allegations made against me concerning gold smuggling, money laundering or collusion with any government.”
“The allegations are false and are made without any proof and the documentary is extremely sensational. This propaganda is injurious to my good name,” he said.
“I will in any event be instituting legal action against the media house for severe reputational harm caused.”
