Presidential spokesperson George Charamba has warned that “there is a limit to provocation we can take,” raising the prospect of media arrests over the reporting of Al Jazeera’s “Gold Mafia” documentary series. The Qatar‑based satellite channel is airing a four‑part series that alleges a gold mafia with links to top government officials and claims the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe is being used to launder the proceeds.
A clip from the second part, scheduled for broadcast on Thursday, features ex‑convict and gold dealer Ewan Macmillan claiming business ties to President Emmerson Mnangagwa. Charamba, using one of his Twitter handles, warned: “Vamwe vanhu tichavigira sadza kuboma; farisai muchidaro. Munonovaraidzana naSikhala manje manje. There is a limit to provocation we can take.” He later elaborated on his threat in an exchange with ZimLive editor Mduduzi Mathuthu.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has dismissed the Al Jazeera documentary and threatened legal action over its money‑laundering allegations. “The bank reserves its right to take appropriate legal action or initiate necessary sanctions against the interviewees and purveyors of the fake news to protect its fiduciary responsibilities in the national interests,” said RBZ governor John Mangudya.
Simon Rudland, a tycoon implicated in the gold‑mafia allegations, has also demanded a retraction from Al Jazeera and threatened legal action. “I urge Al Jazeera to retract their statements and issue a public apology. Notwithstanding this, I will, in any event, be instituting legal action against the media house for severe reputational harm caused,” Rudland said in a statement.
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