Over a hundred people took to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s social‑media accounts to vent their frustration after Al Jazeera’s Investigative Unit revealed massive looting by individuals close to the president, dubbed the “Gold Mafia.” The two‑year investigation uncovered how Mnangagwa’s niece, Henrietta Rushwaya, Special Envoy to Europe and the Americas Uebert Angel, and benefactors Ewan Macmillan and Simon Rudland were stripping the country of its gold and using it to clean hundreds of millions of dirty US dollars each week. Angel boasted that he was untouchable, that Mnangagwa had made him the second‑most important diplomat, and that he could launder as much as US$1.2 billion without question.
In response, Mnangagwa posted an Easter message: “On this solemn day of Easter Friday, we remember the sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross. It is a reminder of the ultimate love and compassion that can exist between us as human beings. Easter is a time to remember the sacrifice made by our Lord Jesus Christ and his unconditional love. Let us all remember to enjoy the holidays responsibly. All those who are travelling, we wish you safe travels. May this Easter Friday bring us all closer to each other and may the spirit of hope and renewal inspire us to be the best versions of ourselves. As we reflect today on Christ’s Resurrection, we are reminded that with faith, hope, and love—even death can be defeated. May the Lord shower you all with abundant blessings.”
While some debated whether Angel could truly launder such sums, many were outraged by the large amounts discussed in secretly recorded meetings, especially as ordinary citizens struggled for basic necessities. Nathan Spencer wrote on Facebook: “Let us also remember the Gold Mafia and their close association with your name. We remember the poor Zimbabweans, including war veterans, whose sacrifice and blood have been used to loot our resources. As we remember the love of our heroes, let us remember to vote you out. May this Easter Friday bring us together to agree that you are not the best person to take our country forward. May the spirit of hope and renewal inspire us to vote for Chamisa. May we be strengthened that no fear, intimidation or death should ever deter us from voting you out. May the courage and blessings of our ancestors and the Lord guide us as we vote you out.”
According to the state‑controlled *Herald* newspaper, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s Financial Intelligence Unit has frozen the accounts of everyone implicated in the four‑part documentary, except for Rushwaya. Farai Zimuto commented on the same post, saying that Al Jazeera’s revelations showed Zimbabwe had become a country “only for the elite.” He wrote in Shona: “Currently Zimbabwe is not for Zimbabweans but for you and the elite who are solely benefitting from rifa renyika rwuzhinji rwuchikanga waya imi henyu vene venyika nevana venyu nemadzimai enyu muchiikokota nyika. Muve neholiday yakanaka mukuru, mukomborerwe zvikuru asi yeukai nothing lasts forever, chakaipa chozvara chakaipa, chakanaka chozvarawo chakanaka. It’s not too late for you to repent and do things right.”
On Twitter, the scandal dominated reactions to Mnangagwa’s prayer. One user wrote: “Anyone supporting ED after this scandalous exposure by Gold Mania needs to know that they are a beneficiary and an accomplice. Zimbabweans are crying.” – Anesu Muyambi (@HeavyLord06), 7 April 2023.
To date, three episodes of the documentary have been released, with the fourth and final episode expected next Thursday, concluding Al Jazeera’s two‑year investigation.
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