Kenya, South Africa, and Zimbabwe in the Epstein Files

The release of over three million pages of documents by the U.S. Department of Justice in January 2026 has shone new light on the global reach of Jeffrey Epstein, the late American financier and convicted sex offender. While the files document his vast network across the United States and Europe, Africa also appears repeatedly, revealing how Epstein engaged with the continent through travel, elite connections, and predatory targeting.

Documents analysed by The Star (Kenya), Daily Maverick (South Africa), and BBC (Zimbabwe) provide an unprecedented view of how Epstein interacted with the region, including the women he sought, the financial connections he maintained, and the luxury environments he cultivated.

Kenya: Safari, Leisure, and Elite Access

In Kenya, the DOJ files primarily reference Epstein’s travel and leisure activities, highlighting the role of social facilitators in maintaining his global network. Publicist Peggy Siegal, a long-time associate of Epstein, emailed him on December 18, 2009, outlining a trip to Nairobi via Amsterdam and a stay at the Maasai Mara and Sasaab lodge near Samburu. Siegal wrote: “We cannot thank you enough, yet another life experience.”

The trip was scheduled to continue to Lamu, with Siegal noting prior visits during Christmas, describing them as “sensational.” Epstein responded: “You will be amazed by the aroma.”

Further emails mention an “Equestrian Safari in Kenya” planned for April 2009, emphasizing photography, private experiences, and elite travel. While these interactions in Kenya appear limited to leisure and networking, they show how Epstein integrated African locations into his social and professional orbit.

South Africa: Financial Ties and Predatory Behavior

South Africa features prominently in the files, showing both financial engagement and targeting of women for exploitation. Epstein held contacts with some of South Africa’s wealthiest figures, including Sol Kerzner, mining magnate Patrice Motsepe, Rob Hersov, and former Glencore CEO Ivan Glasenberg.

Financial records indicate that Epstein used his Chase Morgan account to transfer $500 to $6,000 to Standard Bank accounts in South Africa between February 2003 and April 2004. Transactions resumed in 2010, with at least $34,000 sent to Cape Town-linked accounts within a single year. The purpose of these payments remains unclear.

Equally concerning are Epstein’s efforts to recruit and exploit South African women. Emails reveal a network of intermediaries, particularly a recruiter identified as Daniel Siad, who sent him photos and profiles of young women purportedly seeking modeling or employment abroad. One June 2014 email reads: “She would like to travel to Paris or NY,” alongside attached photographs. Epstein’s response, reflecting his predatory control, stated: “She is nice, her boobs are awful. They will have to be redone.”

Other communications confirm South African nationals were employed by Epstein, including personal assistants and staff on his Caribbean island, further illustrating his global system of labor and exploitation.

Among the victims is Juliette Bryant, a South African who later received compensation from Epstein’s estate. Her account, shared with Daily Maverick, underscores the psychological and social impact on women drawn into his orbit under the guise of opportunity.

Zimbabwe: Financial Reach and Political Networking

In Zimbabwe, Epstein’s activities appear primarily financial and advisory, intersecting with elite political circles. A 2015 email to Japanese entrepreneur Joi Ito suggested approaching then-President Robert Mugabe to provide Zimbabwe with a new currency following the collapse of the local dollar due to hyperinflation.

Earlier FBI documents from 2017, also released publicly, included unverified claims that Epstein acted as a wealth manager for Mugabe, and allegedly for Vladimir Putin, though these assertions remain unconfirmed.

Jeffrey Epstein was a New York-based financier who cultivated a vast international network of wealthy and influential figures, including politicians, business magnates, royalty, and celebrities. In 2008, he was convicted in Florida for soliciting a 14-year-old girl for prostitution, and after serving a lenient sentence, he remained a powerful figure until his arrest in July 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges involving underage girls. Epstein died in August 2019 in a Manhattan jail while awaiting trial, in what authorities ruled a suicide.