Former Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe’s name has surfaced in the latest batch of Jeffrey Epstein files, sparking controversy over alleged financial ties between the two.
According to FBI documents, Epstein suggested approaching Mugabe to provide Zimbabwe with a new currency in 2015, after the local dollar collapsed due to hyperinflation.
An unverified testimony from a confidential source also claimed Epstein managed Mugabe’s wealth, alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin’s.
The allegations stem from an email exchange between Epstein and Japanese entrepreneur Joi Ito, where Epstein stated he could easily get Mugabe’s attention, describing Zimbabwe as a “great petri dish”. Mugabe was under US sanctions from 2003, making it a violation for Epstein to manage his wealth.
The BBC has contacted the Mugabe family for response, but it’s essential to note that being mentioned in the Epstein
files doesn’t imply wrongdoing.
Mugabe’s legacy remains complex, with Zimbabwe still struggling with inflation decades after abandoning the local dollar.
