Yesha
Senior Member
- Jan 28, 2026
- 183
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HARARE, Zimbabwe – Prophet Uebert Angel has been linked to an alleged scheme to stage a fake pro-Zimbabwe rally in Glasgow, Scotland, during President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s visit to the COP26 climate summit in November 2021, according to a new Al Jazeera investigation.
The investigation, titled Contract Killers and the Far Right, alleges that thousands of pounds were paid to organise a gathering intended to portray British support for Zimbabwe and calls for the lifting of Western sanctions.
According to Al Jazeera, Jack Ross, chief executive of the British right-wing group Turning Point UK, arranged the rally on behalf of the Zimbabwean government and introduced an undercover reporter to Allan Nesbitt, a convicted criminal with links to the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), a loyalist paramilitary organisation in Northern Ireland.
A report by New Zimbabwe, published on Thursday, said the rally cost as much as US$13,000 and was attended by Angel, who was then serving as Zimbabwe’s ambassador-at-large and presidential envoy.
The gathering reportedly involved people who had been recruited and instructed on how to react during the event, with staged applause, cheers and a standing ovation intended to create the impression of widespread British support for Mnangagwa.
Al Jazeera reported that Ross described organising a crowd of about 100 people to welcome Mnangagwa to Glasgow and referred to an initiative called British Friends of Zimbabwe.
The investigation further alleges that Ross agreed to pay Nesbitt thousands of pounds to arrange the gathering. Ross reportedly described Nesbitt as having links to both the far-right, anti-migrant group Patriots of Britain and the UVF.
The allegations have raised questions about the individuals involved in the rally and the methods allegedly used to advance Zimbabwe’s diplomatic and public relations campaign in the United Kingdom.
According to the broadcaster, Ross was secretly recorded discussing the possibility of arranging violent attacks through Nesbitt and his contacts in exchange for money.
In a separate undercover meeting, Nesbitt allegedly told reporters he could arrange the killing of a fictional business rival for a price. He reportedly described how people linked to the UVF could carry out such an operation.
Al Jazeera said it notified Scottish police about Nesbitt and the weapons he displayed during the investigation.
Ross denied the broadcaster’s findings, saying his recorded remarks were not intended seriously. The other parties featured in the investigation did not respond to Al Jazeera’s requests for comment, according to the broadcaster.
In that investigation, Angel was secretly recorded discussing ways to use his diplomatic status to facilitate the movement of large sums of money through a gold-related scheme. Angel and his aides also claimed that their proposed operations had the approval of Mnangagwa.
The president, Angel and other individuals named in that investigation did not respond to Al Jazeera’s enquiries at the time.
The latest investigation concerns events surrounding Mnangagwa’s attendance at COP26 in Glasgow in 2021, where the Zimbabwean government was seeking to improve the country’s international image and encourage the lifting of sanctions.
Al Jazeera’s findings have brought fresh attention to the reported use of paid political events and individuals with alleged links to violent networks in efforts to promote Zimbabwe’s interests abroad.
However, the allegations in the latest investigation should be distinguished from any criminal findings by a court. The material published by Al Jazeera does not, on its own, establish that every individual featured committed a criminal offence.
Sources: Al Jazeera Investigates; New Zimbabwe.
The investigation, titled Contract Killers and the Far Right, alleges that thousands of pounds were paid to organise a gathering intended to portray British support for Zimbabwe and calls for the lifting of Western sanctions.
According to Al Jazeera, Jack Ross, chief executive of the British right-wing group Turning Point UK, arranged the rally on behalf of the Zimbabwean government and introduced an undercover reporter to Allan Nesbitt, a convicted criminal with links to the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF), a loyalist paramilitary organisation in Northern Ireland.
A report by New Zimbabwe, published on Thursday, said the rally cost as much as US$13,000 and was attended by Angel, who was then serving as Zimbabwe’s ambassador-at-large and presidential envoy.
The gathering reportedly involved people who had been recruited and instructed on how to react during the event, with staged applause, cheers and a standing ovation intended to create the impression of widespread British support for Mnangagwa.
Al Jazeera reported that Ross described organising a crowd of about 100 people to welcome Mnangagwa to Glasgow and referred to an initiative called British Friends of Zimbabwe.
The investigation further alleges that Ross agreed to pay Nesbitt thousands of pounds to arrange the gathering. Ross reportedly described Nesbitt as having links to both the far-right, anti-migrant group Patriots of Britain and the UVF.
The allegations have raised questions about the individuals involved in the rally and the methods allegedly used to advance Zimbabwe’s diplomatic and public relations campaign in the United Kingdom.
Allegations of links to paramilitary activity
Beyond the rally, Al Jazeera’s undercover investigation examined alleged links between Turning Point UK and individuals associated with violent far-right and paramilitary networks.According to the broadcaster, Ross was secretly recorded discussing the possibility of arranging violent attacks through Nesbitt and his contacts in exchange for money.
In a separate undercover meeting, Nesbitt allegedly told reporters he could arrange the killing of a fictional business rival for a price. He reportedly described how people linked to the UVF could carry out such an operation.
Al Jazeera said it notified Scottish police about Nesbitt and the weapons he displayed during the investigation.
Ross denied the broadcaster’s findings, saying his recorded remarks were not intended seriously. The other parties featured in the investigation did not respond to Al Jazeera’s requests for comment, according to the broadcaster.
Angel’s previous appearance in Al Jazeera investigation
The latest report places Angel under renewed scrutiny following his involvement in Al Jazeera’s 2023 Gold Mafia investigation, which examined alleged gold smuggling and money laundering networks in southern Africa.In that investigation, Angel was secretly recorded discussing ways to use his diplomatic status to facilitate the movement of large sums of money through a gold-related scheme. Angel and his aides also claimed that their proposed operations had the approval of Mnangagwa.
The president, Angel and other individuals named in that investigation did not respond to Al Jazeera’s enquiries at the time.
The latest investigation concerns events surrounding Mnangagwa’s attendance at COP26 in Glasgow in 2021, where the Zimbabwean government was seeking to improve the country’s international image and encourage the lifting of sanctions.
Al Jazeera’s findings have brought fresh attention to the reported use of paid political events and individuals with alleged links to violent networks in efforts to promote Zimbabwe’s interests abroad.
However, the allegations in the latest investigation should be distinguished from any criminal findings by a court. The material published by Al Jazeera does not, on its own, establish that every individual featured committed a criminal offence.
Sources: Al Jazeera Investigates; New Zimbabwe.