Tycoon Rudland threatens to sue AL Jazeera over “misleading” Gold Mafia documentary
By Staff Writer
Business tycoon, Simon Rudland, who was implicated as the funder of gold smuggling activities in Zimbabwe during an Al Jazeera investigation, has threatened to sue the publisher for negative , unfounded and unjustified portayal in the Gold Mafia trending documentary.
Rudland was mentioned by Ewan Macmillan in the opening episode of the Al Jazeera documentary as the major financier of the gold smuggling syndicate using a personal fortune amassed via his cigarette businesses in his native Zimbabwe and South Africa.
It alleged that Rudland, one of Zimbabwe’s richest men, launders money through both Zimbabwean and South African companies.
Rudland is the owner of Gold Leaf Tobacco, one of southern Africa’s biggest cigarette brands, especially on South Africa’s black market.
According to Ewan MacMillan, a self-confessed gold smuggler who was exposed in the documentary, Rudland allegedly bankrolls the Zimbabwe government. Said, MacMillan
“He bankrolls this whole country. If he wants, he phones up the governor, the reserve bank governor. ‘Hi, I want a meeting. Okay, fine. What time?’ ‘I am coming at 11. Okay, fine.’
“He is massive. He is one mother***, my friend. You have no idea, how big he is ,” MacMillan said.
“I deny all allegations made against me concerning gold smuggling, money laundering or collusion with any government,” read his statement.
“The allegations are false and are made without any proof and the documentary is extremely sensational, this propaganda is injurious to my good name.
“I urge Al Jazeera to retract their statements and issue a public apology. Notwithstanding this, I will in any event be instituting legal action against the media house for severe reputational harm caused,” he said.
