After the unexpected departure of Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa for Belarus, rumors have been spreading in the country that he fled carrying gold bars.
Mnangagwa flew out of Harare late on May 14. As ZimLive noted, there were no usual airport ceremonies with sirens and ministers, and Mnangagwa also skipped a farewell dinner for the retiring chief justice because of the trip.
Mnangagwa’s spokesman George Charamba did not respond to the publication’s questions, but a senior government official said this was not the first time Mnangagwa had left the country without an official ceremony. “In fact, he has already made exactly the same trip [to Belarus] before, flying out late at night and returning early in the morning a couple of days later,” the source said.
Mnangagwa’s visit to Belarus comes as Zimbabwe’s parliament is preparing to discuss a constitutional amendment bill that would extend the president’s term, currently ending in 2028, until 2030. The bill also proposes abolishing direct presidential elections, with the president instead to be elected by parliament members.
After Mnangagwa’s departure, rumors spread on social media that he had fled the country, allegedly carrying gold with him. Just days earlier, on May 11, Mnangagwa had visited the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and a gold bullion vault.
“Sources say he left the country with gold bars and headed to Belarus accompanied by his son and others. Others say he was feeling unwell in the evening and could not stand steadily on his feet,” X user @MJairosi wrote.
