Billionaire Patrice Motsepe avoids R3.23 billion damages claim

A company linked to South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe said a Tanzanian court dismissed a long-running case brought by Pula against him and affiliated firms, in which Pula sought R3.23 billion in damages. 

The High Court made the ruling on 9 October 2026, African Rainbow Minerals said in a statement Wednesday. 

“ARM welcomes the judgement,” it said. “ARM has always viewed the Pula claim to be unfounded and fabricated.”

Pula and its Tanzanian unit sued Motsepe and his associate firms – African Rainbow Minerals, African Rainbow Capital, and ARCH Sustainable Resources – for allegedly breaching a non-compete contract.

It alleged that the firms broke this contract when it invested in Australia’s Evolution Energy Minerals, whose Chilalo project is located next to Pula’s graphite project, according to court documents.

Judge F.M. Mirindo struck the case against African Rainbow Capital off the roll on 7 August because Pula failed to join Evolution companies he considered necessary parties.

He didn’t rule on whether the confidentiality agreement was breached or award damages.

Pula subsequently filed a notice of appeal on 24 August, saying it “was dissatisfied with the decision of the High Court of the United Republic of Tanzania” and that the group appealed “against the whole of that decision”.

Pula said it is considering its options.

“We have appealed the earlier ruling on this case and beyond that we have the option to refile the suit,” Chairman Charles Stith said. “This is not over by a long shot.”