Al Jazeera’s Part One of Gold Mafia documentary exposes Zimbabwe’s government using gold smugglers to evade Western sanctions, with evidence of money laundering and corruption. The investigative unit of Al Jazeera is known for exposing illegal activities, and other countries should adopt similar units to expose their continent’s issues. Zimbabwean journalists have already been pursuing corruption by government officials for years. The documentary has prompted calls to categorize grand corruption as a type of international crime, which may lead to accountability for those involved in crimes against humanity, war crimes, and now, grand corruption.

The Shocking Truth: Zimbabwe’s Gold Mafia and Grand Corruption

Introduction

Al Jazeera’s investigative unit unveiled a documentary on Zimbabwe’s gold mafia, exposing the country’s government’s use of gold smugglers to evade Western sanctions. The documentary revealed the appalling truth behind Zimbabwe’s gold industry, where the mafia exports gold to Dubai while dirty criminal money finds its way back to Zimbabwe as legitimate gold revenue. In this article, we will take an extensive look at the revelations brought to light by the documentary.

Al Jazeera ‘s Investigative Unit

Al Jazeera’s investigative unit is known for its significant risks and extraordinary reporting that exposes some of the world’s biggest issues. The reporting involves people speaking on camera and vividly showing how things work. The unit has its vault space within Al Jazeera, only accessible to those working inside. Such units are essential in investigative journalism to shed light on societies’ problems and hold the powerful accountable.

Shocking Details Unveiled

Hopewell, a Zimbabwean investigative journalist, who has relentlessly pursued reporting on Zimbabwean government officials, was not surprised by the documentary’s details but pleased that the evidence he had been reporting for years was now irrefutable. The documentary revealed a senior ambassador appointed by President Mugabe himself, condoning and facilitating money laundering, indicating the president’s implicit permission. Moreover, Henrietta Rashwire, head of the miners association, was caught in illegal and criminal activity of money laundering using a state institution, Fidelity Printers, to facilitate the process.

International Human Rights Law Perspective

Professor Thompson Chingeta shed light on the documentary’s significance from an international human rights law perspective, highlighting the economic hitmen involved in the documentary’s impunity. He referred to the gold smugglers as economic hitlers committing economic genocide against African people, and the documentary’s importance would elevate the question of Grand Corruption to the level of international crime in the same category as genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The Link Between Grand Corruption, Poverty, and Suffering

Hopewell emphasized the links between grand corruption, poverty and the suffering Zimbabweans experience. Corruption threatens their livelihoods and exacerbates poverty, causing turmoil in society. Economic genocide in the form of grand corruption has far-reaching consequences that affect the populace, especially African nations. For accountability purposes, grand corruption must be classified as an international crime.

Conclusion

Zimbabwe’s gold Mafia has been exposed, and the documentary brings to light Zimbabwe’s government’s involvement in fostering illegal and criminal activities concerning gold. The revelations in the documentary are irrefutable and serve as evidence to hold the powerful accountable. International communities must take notice of gross violations of human rights, such as grand corruption, and elevate them to the level of international crimes to hold perpetrators accountable. The documentary may serve as a catalyst to effect much-needed change in the gold industry, and Zimbabwe as a whole.