The chief investment & projects officer for President Emmerson Mnangagwa's envoy and ambassador-at-large Uebert Angel, Dr Sobona Mtisi, has tied himself in knots in a long-winded, incoherent and deceptive response to Al Jazeera's investigation on gold smuggling and corruption.
Failing to take advantage of his right to remain silent when he has been caught pants down with his boss and others in a corruption sting operation by undercover journalists, Mtisi tried to deny the res ipsa loquitor investigation (a situation where facts speak for themselves).
Mtisi, who is who married to Angel's niece Joy, appears on the film with Al Jazeera's undercover journalists posing as Hong Kong-based Chinese mafia discussing how to corruptly smuggle and clean US$1.2 billion for payment.
Angel says he can do it using his diplomatic passport.
Angel says he can do it using his diplomatic passport.
Joy's sister Nicola, who is also resultantly Angel's niece, is married to the self-styled prophet's close associate Rikki Doolan (fourth from left - Nicola is third from left next to Rikki).
This makes the whole Angel network a family crony affair, closely linked to Mnangagwa.
This makes the whole Angel network a family crony affair, closely linked to Mnangagwa.
Angel was recorded undercover in the documentary excitedly promising to corruptly help smuggle US$1.2 billion into Zimbabwe through a diplomatic bag and launder the money from the Chinese mafia led by a fictitious charcater Mr Stanley, a Sino gangster with links to the Triads.
On this screen grab, Angel is on the right, next to him is his brother Limit Mudzanire and then Mtisi.
Angel was telling mafia (journalists without knowing) that he could easily smuggle US$1.2 billion. To prove his capacity, he even called local gold smuggler Henrietta Rushwaya.
Angel was telling mafia (journalists without knowing) that he could easily smuggle US$1.2 billion. To prove his capacity, he even called local gold smuggler Henrietta Rushwaya.
In the documentary, there is no doubt that Angel is not aware these are journalists undercover. He clearly thought these were mafia operators who had money which needed laundry services. Obligingly, Angel offers do it for a payment; he expected 10% - US$120 million, a fortune.
In the final analysis, Angel was in the game and willing to use his diplomatic passport and bag - credentials and logistics - to smuggle and clean US$1.2 billion for a huge payment that would change his life and those around him like his brother Limit and relative Mtisi for good.
However, despite that the story is res ipsa loquitor (facts speaks for themselves), Mtisi tried to gaslight people with a rumbling response that is as revealing as it is manipulative and deceptive.
The statement made a bad situation worse and further nailed Angel and his cronies.
The statement made a bad situation worse and further nailed Angel and his cronies.
Here is Dr Sobona Mtisi's full statement, a response to the Al Jazeera's investigation into gold smuggling, money laundering and corruption:
Mtisi's statement
Mtisi's statement
Mtisi's statement
Ends
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