CCC Demands International Forensic Probe Into Alleged Gold Smuggling
By Staff Reporter
The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has called for an independent international forensic investigations into the alleged smuggling of gold out of the country.
The call for the investigation comes after Al Jazeera’s Investigative Unit released two parts of a four-part series documentary titled “Gold Mafia” that exposes allegations of money laundering, gold smuggling, and illicit financial flows, among other crimes by several individuals in Zimbabwe.
In a statement, CCC national spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere accused political elites of deliberately setting up personal networks to undermine accountability.
“Although there remain two episodes to air, information and leads released so far demand the immediate establishment of an independent international forensic investigation into the shocking findings contained in the documentary. We are deeply concerned by the severe disregard of formal state institutions by the persons named and referred to in the documentary.
“There is a strong suggestion that political elites are deliberately setting up personal networks of businesspersons-cum-criminals that operate to undermine constitutional accountability. It is a matter of regret that state institutions that are constitutionally mandated to investigate and bring to book those reasonably suspected of corruption, maladministration and criminal abuse of office including the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission neglect to investigate the issues and act as would be expected.
“The documentary further raises a serious concern for Zimbabwean citizens that there is a link between the illicit gold trade and political finance intended to capture state institutions in the forthcoming elections which poses a potential threat to the constitutional imperatives and safeguards set out in the Constitution,” said Mahere
She added “The Al Jazeera documentary unearths unconscionable if not criminal amounts of gold allegedly smuggled and massive potential revenue loss to the State. This is more so in light of the breakdown of basic social services including the public health delivery system, the state education system, road infrastructure, and electricity supply as well as mounting poverty and hunger among the populace.
“Additionally, there is an added risk to our standing in the global economy given the unanswered claims of chronic money laundering and abuse of our central bank system. In the circumstances, we call for a full, independent, international investigation in respect of all those who are implicated and mentioned.”
