Wife of alleged gold mafia boss wins US$1 million case against businessman

HARARE – Leigh Ann Patricia Rudland, the wife of notorious alleged gold smuggler and money launderer Simon Rudland, has won a US$1 million case against businessman Luka Ignatius Fabris and his company, Spartan Security (Pvt) Ltd.

Harare Magistrate Feresi Chakanyuka found Fabris and his company guilty of defrauding Patricia Rudland of the investment she made with them in 2019.

According to the prosecution, Fabris and Spartan Security had promised Patricia Rudland a 2% monthly return on her investment, but she only received US$540,000 in total returns before the payments stopped.

The court rejected Fabris’ defense that the deal was simply an arrangement to convert a bank transfer into cash and that the value of the cash fell due to inflation.

Patricia Rudland’s testimony was deemed credible by the court, and her evidence was clear and satisfactory. The court found no reason for her to lie against the accused, and there was no paper trail of money being paid back to her.

The prosecution said: “We are pleased with the court’s decision and hope that it will serve as a warning to others who engage in fraudulent activities. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that justice is served and that those who break the law are held accountable.”

Fabris has been involved in controversy before, with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe freezing a US$1 million deposit held by a local bank in 2018 amid suspicions it could be proceeds from an illegal gold deal.

Al Jazeera in 2022 released a damning documentary highlighting that Simon Rudland has been involved in a complex web of transactions, including allegations of money laundering and gold smuggling.

His business associates include former government officials and military personnel. In 2019, he survived an attempted assassination, but the perpetrators were not identified.

According to the documents and witness statements recorded by Al Jazeera, Rudland provided financial support to the Zimbabwean government to bust sanctions.

In exchange, Fidelity Printers and Refiners, the Zimbabwe central bank’s refinery, allowed his couriers to transport large quantities of gold to Dubai for sale through regular trips.

In response, Rudland at the time said he would be suing Al Jazeera over the broadcast.

“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.

“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,” Rudland said in a statement.

South African revenue officials have also accused Rudland, who owns one of the region’s biggest tobacco companies, Gold Leaf Tobacco, of evading taxes by selling his cigarettes on the black market.