Allegations have been rebuffed by Alexander James, a member of Al Jazeera’s Investigative Unit (I-Unit) and co-producer of The Gold Mafia exposé, regarding the claim that the team intentionally bypassed Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s involvement in the gold pillaging crisis in Zimbabwe.
Speaking at the Africa Investigative Journalism Conference (AIJC) currently being hosted at Wits University in South Africa, James clarified that their evidence pointed to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s central role in the looting of the country’s gold.
The Gold Mafia, an extensive investigative documentary, revealed the intricate network behind the smuggling of Zimbabwe’s gold by high-ranking public officials, including Mnangagwa’s Special Ambassador to the Americas and Europe, Uebert Angel. The documentary, which took four and a half years to complete, was dismissed by the government as a smear campaign despite substantial video evidence, confessions by Harare International Airport employees, and admissions by Angel himself regarding their illicit activities.
“We focused on the loops we could confidently demonstrate very clearly. All evidence did not flow to Chiwenga, they flowed to number one, Emmerson Mnangagwa,” explained James.
The ruling Zanu PF faction linked the Al Jazeera documentary to a sponsored attack by a rival faction led by Chiwenga, particularly as it coincided with Zimbabwe’s preparations for the General Elections in August.
Notably, First Lady Auxillia was captured advising Angel to contact Mnangagwa to facilitate the laundering of millions in US dollars. Additionally, one of Angel’s associates assured Al Jazeera’s undercover team that they would receive preferential treatment as long as they offered bribes.
Angel dismissed the entire investigation, claiming he was aware of being recorded and merely playing along. He further questioned the ease with which they allegedly accessed Mnangagwa, even asserting that he had proposed a $200,000 bribe, including his facilitation fees, for the I-Unit to meet with the President.
During the ongoing conference, co-producers Sarah Yeo and Alexander James shared insights into the extensive investigation, which spanned multiple countries including South Africa, Dubai, and China.
The AIJC, as the continent’s largest gathering of investigative journalists, partners, and support organizations, aims to foster partnerships, ensure sustainability, and facilitate the sharing of skills and knowledge in the field of investigative journalism.
