The Rudd Concession, a written concession for…

The Rudd Concession, a written concession for exclusive mining rights in Matabeleland, Mashonaland and adjoining territories, is granted by King Lobengula of Matabeleland to Charles Rudd, James Rochfort Maguire and Francis Thompson, who are acting on behalf of South African-based politician and businessman Cecil Rhodes, providing a basis for white settlement of Rhodesia.

Rhodes had already tried and failed to get a mining concession from Lobengula, king of the Ndebele of Matabeleland.

In 1888 he tries again.

He sends John Moffat, son of the missionary Robert Moffat, who is trusted by Lobengula, to persuade the latter to sign a treaty of friendship with Britain, and to look favorably on Rhodes's proposals.

His associate Charles Rudd, together with Francis Thompson and Rochfort Maguire, assures Lobengula that no more than ten white men will mine in Matabeleland.

This limitation is left out of the document, known as the Rudd Concession, which Lobengula signs     0n October 30.

Furthermore, it states that the mining companies can do anything necessary to their operations.

When Lobengula discovers later the true effects of the concession, he will try to renounce it, but the British Government will ignore him.