Gold Mafia (2023)

The Al Jazeera documentary Gold Mafia, released in 2023, delves into the murky world of illicit financial flows and corruption surrounding Africa’s gold trade. Through a series of episodes, the investigative team uncovers a web of conspiracy, abuse of diplomatic immunity, and money laundering within the mining sector.

In the first episode, titled The Laundry Service, the spotlight falls on Zimbabwe. The documentary exposes alleged illicit practices, including gold smuggling, corruption, and abuse of diplomatic privileges. The revelations are both shocking and eye-opening, shedding light on the dark underbelly of the gold industry.

As the series unfolds, undercover reporters infiltrate rival gangs that control Africa’s gold. In Episode 3, titled El Dorado, they witness firsthand how criminal networks transform dirty cash into gold, which is then sold globally. The stakes are high, and the consequences of these clandestine operations reverberate far beyond the mining sites.

In the final episode, Have The King With You, the documentary explores the intricate dynamics of power and influence. The rival gangs vie for supremacy, and the gold trade becomes a battleground. The tension escalates as the criminal networks maneuver to secure their share of the lucrative market.

Through painstaking investigative journalism, Gold Mafia lays bare the complexities of the gold trade, revealing the human cost, environmental impact, and systemic corruption. Al Jazeera’s exposé serves as a call to action, urging governments, international bodies, and civil society to combat corruption and ensure transparency in the precious metals industry