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By A Correspondent| Prominent businessmen Simon Rudland and Zunind Moti have been dragged into the raging factional wars tearing through the ruling Zanu PF, amid claims that the two tycoons are aligned to Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s camp. The development marks the first time the pair has been officially linked to political factions within the ruling party, signalling how business interests continue to intersect with Zimbabwe’s bitter power struggles. Rudland, who controls Gold Leaf Tobacco, and Moti, a South African-based mining magnate, are among the country’s wealthiest businessmen with sprawling investments in agriculture, mining, and transport. Rudland and Moti’s political association with Chiwenga was also confirmed in a leaked parliamentary document presented by Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi, which sought to rebut a dossier delivered in the Zanu PF politburo by the former army commander accusing President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s allies—including Kudakwashe Tagwirei, Wicknell Chivhayo, Paul Tempter Tungwarara, Scott Sakupwanya and Dilesh Nguwaya—of grand corruption and state capture. Ziyambi claimed Chiwenga’s document had “deliberately omitted some notorious alleged smugglers such as Simon Rudland and Zunind Moti, among others, who are alleged to be associates of some members of the Presidium.” Political observers say Ziyambi’s statement exposes the depth of mistrust and factional hostility now gripping Zanu PF. “This is no longer just about corruption allegations—it’s a full-blown power struggle playing out through the language of accountability and loyalty,” said one Harare-based political analyst. The internal dispute stems from Chiwenga’s seven-page memorandum to the party presidium dated 17 September, in which he accused Mnangagwa’s allies of looting over US$3.2 billion through illicit contracts and opaque deals. Ziyambi hit back, branding Chiwenga’s memo “reckless, malicious and treasonous,” and warned that any attempt to “destabilise or subvert a constitutionally elected government is treasonous.” Neither Rudland nor Moti could be reached for immediate comment.
