HARARE – The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation has retracted and apologised for an article that accused millionaire businessman Simon Rudland of financing planned violent protests aimed at overthrowing President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government, saying the allegations contained in the publication “have been refuted.”
The retraction, published on ZBC’s website on March 19, 2026 – just one day after Rudland’s lawyers delivered an urgent legal demand to the state broadcaster’s chief executive – marked a swift capitulation by the state broadcaster in the face of threatened litigation.
“The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation wishes to formally retract a recent article that contained statements and allegations regarding Mr Simon Rudland,” the retraction reads.
“Following a thorough internal review and in light of clarifications received from Mr Rudland’s representatives, ZBC notes that the allegations contained in the publication have been refuted.”
The ZBC said it was retracting the article “in its entirety” and withdrawing “all impressions, insinuations, and imputations conveyed or implied regarding Mr Rudland’s alleged involvement in the matters referenced.”
It added that it “regrets the publication and any harm, distress, or inconvenience it may have caused Mr Simon Rudland.”
The retraction came after Harare commercial law firm Chimuka Mafunga, acting for Rudland, hand-delivered an urgent letter to ZBC chief executive Sugar Chagonda on March 18 demanding a “full, unconditional, and unreserved withdrawal” of the article within two days or face an injunction and damages claim “without further notice.”
The article at the centre of the dispute, published on March 10 and titled ‘Kasukuwere, Mambondiyani plot violent protest using Biti’s forum, ZINASU and bloggers as fronts,’ had named Rudland alongside self-exiled former cabinet minister Saviour Kasukuwere and activist Danmore Mambondiyani, accusing all three of attempting to “orchestrate violent mass protests aimed at effecting unconstitutional regime change.”
The article alleged Rudland was “the major sponsor of these machinations” and had “wired substantial amounts of money to bankroll the demonstrations, with more expected from his foreign networks.”
These protests, it was claimed, would be carried out under the banner of the Constitutional Defenders Forum – a new organisation led by former finance minister Tendai Biti which is resisting planned constitutional amendments that would extend President Mnangagwa’s term by two years and abolish direct elections for the president, giving that role to parliament.
Chimuka Mafunga had argued the article amounted to an imputation of treason and was published without ZBC ever contacting Rudland for verification – a basic requirement of responsible journalism.
The law firm said the allegations “falsely and maliciously accuse him of sponsoring a sedition and insurrection against an elected government.”
Rudland, born in Harare in 1971, is one of Zimbabwe’s wealthiest businessmen, with a portfolio valued at more than US$1 billion spanning tobacco, mining, construction, logistics, agriculture and manufacturing.
He co-founded Gold Leaf Tobacco Corporation (GLTC) with business partner Yakub Mahomed, building it into one of Southern Africa’s largest cigarette manufacturers, and Pioneer Corporation Africa, a major regional logistics group. His companies employ more than 10,000 people.
Sources familiar with the matter said the campaign against Rudland may have been triggered after individuals allegedly aligned with Zanu PF attempted to solicit financial support from him and were rebuffed.
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