By Staff Reporter
HARARE – Zimbabwean businessman Simon Rudland has threatened legal action against the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) over a report alleging he financed protests aimed at overthrowing President Emmerson Mnangagwa, accusations that stem from claims first published by the state broadcaster earlier this month.
Lawyers representing Rudland have issued an urgent demand for the withdrawal of a March 10 ZBC article titled “Rogue Kasukuwere, Mambondiyani plot violent protests using Biti’s forum, ZINASU and bloggers as fronts,” which alleged that the businessman funded demonstrations linked to an alleged plot to force unconstitutional regime change.
The legal challenge follows the publication of that article, which cited unnamed sources claiming Rudland was the “major sponsor” of planned protests involving self-exiled former minister Saviour Kasukuwere, activist Danmore Mambondiyani and opposition-aligned networks.
In a letter addressed to ZBC chief executive Sugar Chagonda, Rudland’s lawyer Norman Chimuka of Chimuka Mafunga Commercial Attorneys demanded “a full, unconditional and unreserved withdrawal” of the story together with an apology, arguing that the broadcaster published serious allegations without verifying them with his client.
According to the March 10 report, the alleged plot involved using the Constitutional Defenders Forum, led by former finance minister Tendai Biti, as well as the Zimbabwe National Students Union and online activists to mobilise demonstrations opposing proposed constitutional changes.
The article further claimed that the activities were coordinated from outside the country and supported financially through foreign networks, allegations Rudland’s lawyers say amount to imputations of treason.
Rudland’s legal team argues that the report falsely suggested he was financing efforts to violently remove an elected government, saying the publication relied on anonymous sources and failed to seek comment before publishing.
The lawyers warned that failure to retract the article within two days would result in court action seeking an injunction and damages for defamation.
The lawsuit threat comes amid heightened political tensions over debates around constitutional amendments and protest activity, issues that formed the central context of the earlier ZBC story and which Rudland’s lawyers say triggered the defamatory claims.
Sources familiar with the dispute say the businessman has denied any involvement in political funding and maintains the allegations are malicious and unfounded.
Rudland, one of Zimbabwe’s wealthiest entrepreneurs, has business interests in tobacco processing, logistics, agriculture, mining and manufacturing across Southern Africa, employing thousands through companies linked to his investment group.
