 In later life , Plagis became a friend of British ace Douglas Bader , a prominent supporter of Rhodesia 's Unilateral Declaration of Independence in 1965 . Bader , Smith and Plagis often socialised . Plagis also knew L Ron Hubbard , the American founder of Scientology , who briefly relocated to Salisbury in 1966 . Hubbard initiated numerous business schemes in Rhodesia , including the purchase of the Bumi Hills Hotel at Kariba . Plagis was one of two local businessmen who partnered with Hubbard in the Bumi Hills deal . He also sold Hubbard an interest in his holdings before the American was deported . 
