Highlanders Ink US$300K Deal with Gold Mafia Kingp...

Highlanders Ink US$300K Deal with Gold Mafia Kingpin Fradreck Kunaka

Nyashadzashe Ndoro and Tafadzwa Chigandiwa

Highlanders Football Club, one of Zimbabwe’s most storied teams, has secured a crucial US$300 000 sponsorship deal. But the financial lifeline comes with controversy—their new backer, King’s Bullion Gold Refinery, is led by Fradreck Kunaka, a businessman implicated in Al Jazeera’s Gold Mafia documentary for his alleged role in gold smuggling and money laundering.

Kunaka, the former General Manager of Fidelity Printers, was accused of facilitating the illicit movement of billions of dollars in gold through Zimbabwe’s black-market networks.

His name surfaced alongside high-profile figures like Scottland FC owner Scott Sakupwanya, Kenyan-British businessman Kamlesh Pattni, and Uebert Angel—an ally of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Now, with Kunaka’s company bankrolling Highlanders, the deal is raising more questions than celebrations. Is this a much-needed financial boost for one of Zimbabwe’s biggest clubs, or is Bosso unknowingly entangled in a money-laundering operation?

Speaking at the sponsorship unveiling ceremony, Kunaka framed the deal as a commitment to Zimbabwean football.

"We are grateful to partner with Highlanders, a big institution in Zimbabwean football. The sponsorship is renewable, and we will continue to review and explore programmes that benefit the players," he said.

But behind the scenes, concerns are mounting. Given Kunaka’s alleged involvement in Zimbabwe’s illicit gold trade, speculation is rife that the sponsorship could be a front for laundering money rather than genuine corporate support

Highlanders, who were on the brink of starting the 2025 PSL season without a sponsor, have yet to publicly address these concerns. Their financial struggles are well-documented, and while this deal provides short-term relief, it may come with long-term reputational risks.

The new PSL season kicked off on Friday, with newcomers Scottland FC securing a 1-0 win over Triangle United at Rufaro Stadium in Harare.

During the height of the Gold Mafia exposé, Zimbabwe’s Financial Intelligence Unit froze Kunaka’s bank accounts, along with those of three other individuals accused of aiding top figures in gold smuggling operations.

The others implicated were, Cleopas Chidodo – Robert Mugabe International Airport security manager; David Chirozv, RBZ Aurex Jewellery head of finance and Mehluleli Dube – Fidelity gold-buying manager

A memo from the FIU directed financial institutions to “immediately identify and freeze all assets of the following individuals: Cleopas Chidodo, David Chirozvi, Mehluleli Dube, and Fradreck Kunaka. May you also freeze all assets of legal persons and arrangements associated with them. Kindly treat this request as urgent.”

Some members of this smuggling network have since been sanctioned by the US and UK governments.

Among those targeted by international sanctions is Kamlesh Pattni, a Kenyan-British businessman accused of bribing Zimbabwean officials to secure illicit profits from the country’s gold and diamond industries.

His vast business empire—spanning Zimbabwe, Dubai, Singapore, and London—was allegedly used to launder illicit funds.

According to the US Department of the Treasury, Pattni’s fraudulent operations deprived Zimbabweans of the benefits of their natural resources while enriching corrupt officials and criminal enterprises.

Al Jazeera’s documentary also shed light on rampant corruption at Robert Mugabe International Airport. In an undercover interview, Cleopas Chidodo, the airport’s security chief, openly admitted to facilitating the smuggling of minerals and cash for over 23 years.

Chidodo described how he charged smugglers a percentage-based fee, with higher rates for precious minerals than for cash. He detailed how he coordinated with airport employees, instructed luggage scanner operators to ignore suspicious items, and guided couriers through the airport undetected.

His accomplice, Aleck Yasini, confirmed the operation’s efficiency, claiming he had never encountered issues in eight years of smuggling. The documentary further revealed how smaller contraband items were smuggled in hand luggage, with specific scanning machines deliberately bypassing security protocols.

Highlanders’ deal with King’s Bullion Gold Refinery highlights a growing trend where African football clubs become entangled with questionable sponsors. While football has long relied on corporate funding, some sponsorships raise ethical and legal concerns.

In Zimbabwe, businesses tied to political elites and illicit financial networks often seek legitimacy through high-profile partnerships. This deal, in particular, raises two major concerns:

As the PSL season progresses, Highlanders may find themselves under increasing scrutiny—not just for their on-field performances but for the financial dealings shaping their future.

For now, the club remains silent on the swirling controversy. But with Zimbabwean football already facing governance challenges, this sponsorship may prove to be a double-edged sword.