In the postmodern “El Dorado,” of the 2020s, where gold isn’t just a shiny metal but the lifeblood of a shadow economy, Al Jazeera’s Investigative Unit has done what governments can’t — or won’t — do: expose the dirty dealings that turn gold into the universal laundromat for the world’s filthiest money.
Through thousands of confidential documents and exclusive interviews with whistleblowers from within the criminal organisations, investigators obtain the blueprints of billion-dollar money laundering operations that service the political elite. And the investigation leads to the highest offices of southern Africa.
The four-part series, “Gold Mafia,” delves deep into the underbelly of the gold trade, revealing the sinister symbiosis between criminals and the political elite. “Gold Mafia” isn’t just a docuseries; it’s a revelation of how deep the rot goes in the global gold trade. It exposes a world where wealth and power are intertwined with crime, and where the line between politician and gangster is razor-thin.
Watch the full series and prepare to see gold in a whole new light:
- Episode 1 – The Laundry Service
- Episode 2 – Smoke & Mirrors
- Episode 3 – El Dorado
- Episode 4 – Have The King With You
Episode 1 – The Laundry Service
Premiere Date: March 23, 2023
Imagine waltzing into a secret meeting with a suitcase full of dirty money, knowing the guy across the table has a diplomatic passport and a get-out-of-jail-free card. Watch as undercover operatives pose as gangsters with a billion-dollar problem — black money that needs a deep clean. Enter the Gold Mafia, who offer their unique services with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe acting as the world’s biggest washing machine. Forget Swiss banks; the real action is in Zimbabwe, where government officials moonlight as money launderers. It’s like watching the worst kind of magic show, where the trick isn’t pulling a rabbit out of a hat but making millions disappear and reappear as shiny, untouchable gold.
Episode 2 – Smoke & Mirrors
Premiere Date: March 30, 2023
Meet Mo Dollars, South Africa’s answer to Houdini, who turns illicit cigarette profits into gold. The trick? A labyrinth of shelf companies and fake invoices that make Enron look like a kid’s lemonade stand. When the Gold Mafia’s operation outgrows its back-alley roots, they go corporate, infiltrating banks and government departments. The undercover team strikes a deal with a rival mafia promising access to Zimbabwe’s executive power, proving once again that in this game, it’s not about what you know, but who you can buy.
Episode 3 – El Dorado
Premiere Date: April 6, 2023
Dubai—the glittering oasis where dirty gold goes to get clean. Here, the Gold Mafia’s HQ operates like a high-stakes boardroom where diplomats broker billion-dollar deals. Ambassador Uebert Angel plays the role of the slick middleman, arranging a meeting between our undercover team and Zimbabwe’s President Mnangagwa. The catch? A hefty bribe to sweeten the deal. The message is clear: in the world of gold laundering, every door opens if you have enough cash.
Episode 4 – Have The King With You
Premiere Date: April 14, 2023
The final act brings a Shakespearean twist as the noose tightens around South Africa’s top money launderers. Betrayal, threats, and paranoia run rampant. The undercover operatives face the ultimate test as the Gold Mafia boss warns of deadly consequences for those who break their code of silence. With political connections as their shield, the Gold Mafia bosses continue to lure in business, promising safety and security under the wings of the continent’s leaders. As one mafia boss ominously advises, “When you work, you must always have the king with you. The president.”
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