Zimbabwe has announced an investigation into the allegations of a “gold mafia” in the country.
Zimbabwe govt says it takes ‘gold mafia’ allegations seriously
The announcement comes after a report from an explosive Al Jazeera docuseries, which exposed a network of government insiders and controversial businessmen involved in money laundering through gold bars, as well as illegal gold trade worth over $1 billion per year.
The allegations have caused widespread concern in Zimbabwe, with many people questioning the government’s ability to tackle corruption and criminal activity. The government has responded by saying that it takes the allegations “very seriously” and will investigate the matter thoroughly.
In a report published by the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA), it’s alleged that the “gold mafia” is made up of politicians, military officials, and members of the police force.
It claims that these individuals are involved in the smuggling of gold out of the country, as well as the illegal mining and sale of gold within Zimbabwe. The report alleges that the illegal gold trade is causing environmental damage, human rights abuses, and the loss of revenue for the country.
The allegations of a “gold mafia” in Zimbabwe are not new.
In 2019, a report by the International Crisis Group (ICG) highlighted the involvement of senior politicians and military officials in the illegal gold trade. The report claimed that the illegal gold trade was a major source of funding for the ruling party, ZANU-PF.
The government’s announcement of an investigation into the allegations has been welcomed by many in Zimbabwe.
However, there are concerns that the investigation will not be impartial, given the involvement of senior officials in the alleged “gold mafia”. There are also concerns about the safety of those who have spoken out about the illegal gold trade, given the history of violence and intimidation against journalists and activists in Zimbabwe.
The allegations of a “gold mafia” in Zimbabwe have attracted international attention, with organisations such as Human Rights Watch calling for an independent investigation. The case also highlights the wider problem of corruption and criminal activity in Zimbabwe, which has been a major issue for the country for many years.