DIRECTORS of the recently premiered local film Ngoda have distanced themselves from the documentary titled "Gold Mafia” being currently serialised by an international broadcasting channel which is exposing a network of alleged money laundering and gold smuggling cartels in Zimbabwe.
Gold Mafia, a four-part series by the Al Jazeera Investigative Unit, shows among others one of Zimbabwe’s highest-ranking diplomats offering to launder large amounts of money through illegal gold smuggling.
Illegal diamond mining movie production ‘Ngoda’, which was put together by Gango production was premiered on March 31 at Ster Kinekor Sam Levy cinema, Harare a few days after the Gold Mafia documentary was released, leading to many insinuating that the film’s release was timed to coincide with the Al Jazeera documentary.
It is set in 2006 amidst the diamond mining rush that started in Zimbabwe.
To claim back their land, the Toropito brothers have to raise enough money to buy it back, forcing them into the illegal diamond mining world. They work for a ruthless diamond dealer, who rips them off their finds for low payouts.
Tindo, the eldest of the brothers, accidentally finds a big precious diamond and decides to hide it from everyone, including his brothers and wife.
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The diamond is stolen from Tindo and news of the big stone spreads. The hunt for the diamond is on, but how do you find something that has already been stolen? Greed, betrayal and disloyalty leads to fatal consequences in this dramatic thriller.
Veteran filmmaker Joe Njagu and award-winning actor Eddie Sandifolo, who are co-directors of the hour-and-half-long film, said the movie is in no way associated with the Gold Mafia documentary.
“It goes without saying that though Ngoda is a social commentary film, it has nothing to do with gold or the Al Jazeera documentary,” Njangu said.
“Our production was done last year in September highlighting fictional events experienced by a fictional Toropito family.
“Honest to God, the timing was pure coincidence. We had our own plans as our launch was planned last year in December.”
The film’s cast includes Farai Chigudu, Elijah Madzikatire, Taurai Kawara, Charmaine Mujeri, Caroline Mashingaidze-Zimbizi, Charles Njagu, Farai Chimombe, Philip Marumha ,Jude Dutiroas, Malaika Mushandu, Sandifolo and Njagu the co-directors of the film, among others.
Gold Mafia has put many characters on the spotlight, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa's ambassador at large Uebert Angel and Henrietta Rushwaya, among other dealers.
Some parts of the documentary mention the role of the First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa and one of his sons in the gold smuggling ring.
The government of Zimbabwe says it will launch investigations into several people involved in gold smuggling and money laundering
“Government takes the allegations raised in the documentary seriously, and has directed relevant organs to institute investigations into the issues raised therein,” the statement released on Tuesday read.
“Any person found to have engaged in acts of corruption, fraud or any form of crime, will face the full wrath of the law.”
The statement added that the government was dedicated to upholding national and international laws and that “boastful behaviour and name-dropping by some personalities featured in the documentary, seeking personal gain and glory, should never be taken as an enunciation of government policy”.