Zimbabweans Lured Into Russia’s Deadly War As Families Beg Harare, Moscow To Bring Their Loved Ones Home

Harare, Zimbabwe– Families of Zimbabweans believed to have been recruited into Russia’s war in Ukraine are pleading with authorities in Harare and Moscow to intervene and secure the return of their relatives, amid growing reports that desperate young men are being trafficked into dangerous military operations under false promises of jobs and financial stability.

The emotional appeals come as the Zimbabwean government confirmed that at least 18 Zimbabweans have died while serving alongside Russian forces in the ongoing war in Ukraine, with only four bodies currently set for repatriation due to documentation complications.

Al Jazeera reports that one of the affected families is that of Dumisani, a Zimbabwean man who secretly travelled to Russia earlier this year after struggling with unemployment and failed attempts to establish himself in neighbouring South Africa.

His brother, Elvis Sitshela, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said the family was left shocked after receiving an unexpected message from Dumisani from a foreign number.

“Hi, brother, I am in Russia now. It’s me, Dumisani,” Elvis recalled.

According to him, Dumisani had been battling unemployment for a long time before disappearing without informing anyone.

“He was unemployed for a long time and tried to settle in South Africa, but it didn’t work out; he returned home last December. By January, he was gone,” Elvis said.

The family’s fears intensified weeks later when they learned that a neighbour who had travelled alongside Dumisani had been killed in Ukraine, where Russia has been waging a full-scale invasion for the past four years.

“I am appealing to the Zimbabwean and Russian governments to work together to bring our brothers home,” Elvis said, urging authorities in both countries to act swiftly before more lives are lost.

The disturbing revelations have also exposed an alleged human trafficking network operating across Zimbabwe and South Africa.

In late March, four suspects appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Court on charges linked to trafficking Zimbabweans to Russia, where the victims were allegedly forced into military service on the Ukrainian front lines.

The accused persons — Obert Hlavati, Tonderai Maphosa, Tanaka Malcon Gwarada, and Edson Dudzayi Nyamudeza — appeared before Magistrate Jessi Kufa but were not asked to enter pleas.

Prosecutors alleged that the four men worked together with a Russian national identified only as Ivan to traffic at least six Zimbabweans into Russia.

In another incident that heightened concerns, security officials at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport intercepted two brothers who were attempting to board a flight to Russia.

Although the pair claimed they were travelling to attend a university open event in Moscow, authorities reportedly became suspicious and blocked them from leaving the country.

Despite the arrests and interceptions, Zimbabwean authorities say the problem is growing, with increasing numbers of citizens dying after allegedly being recruited into Russia’s military campaign.

Zimbabwean government spokesperson Nick Mangwana confirmed that authorities are working to repatriate four citizens killed in Ukraine.

“Zimbabweans have been trafficked as foreign fighters. Eighteen have died abroad, yet the government can repatriate only four; the others are held up by documentation problems,” Mangwana wrote on X.

Zimbabwe’s Minister of Information, Zhemu Soda, blamed what he described as predatory recruitment agencies and criminal networks that exploit vulnerable youths with promises of lucrative salaries and stable employment opportunities.

“Our citizens are being preyed upon by unscrupulous networks who operate with complete disregard for human life,” Soda told journalists during a news briefing in Harare on March 25.

He warned that recruiters are increasingly using social media platforms to target unemployed young people struggling under Zimbabwe’s worsening economic conditions.

Former Senator Tshepiso Helen Mpofu also urged Zimbabweans to exercise caution when responding to overseas job advertisements circulating online.

“Our young people must verify opportunities before applying, especially those abroad, and not fall for schemes that promise wealth or stability,” Mpofu warned.

She further called on the Zimbabwean government to prioritise genuine job creation and economic empowerment programmes while engaging Russian authorities to prevent Zimbabwean citizens from being exploited in military operations.

Investigative journalist Ezra Sibanda, whose probe into the alleged recruitment syndicates gained widespread attention earlier this year, said many recruits only realise the true nature of the operation after arriving in Russia.

“Upon arrival in Russia, recruits are reportedly met by men in military uniform. They are placed on buses and taken to army barracks, where the process quickly turns dangerous,” Sibanda explained.

“At the barracks, they are processed, fingerprinted, and pressured into signing military contracts. Their passports and phones are confiscated, and they undergo brief training lasting 10 days to a month,” he added.

According to Sibanda, the trafficking operation appears to involve a sophisticated cross-border network targeting economically vulnerable Zimbabweans, particularly those living in South Africa.

Through Facebook live broadcasts and direct engagement with Zimbabweans allegedly stationed on the front lines, Sibanda said he uncovered details of the recruitment structure and some of the individuals allegedly coordinating the operation.

“A Zimbabwean known as ‘Tshaka the Zulu,’ originally from the Matobo region and formerly based in South Africa, is operating out of Moscow, alongside a Russian national known as ‘Poma’,” Sibanda alleged.

“They are the ringleaders. Their networks across Zimbabwe and South Africa are secretive and decentralised, making it nearly impossible to determine how many people have been sent to the front lines.”

Efforts to contact “Tshaka the Zulu,” “Poma,” and other alleged recruiters reportedly failed, as calls and text messages sent to them went unanswered.

Sibanda further disclosed that many Zimbabweans are being enticed with promises of enormous financial rewards, including sign-on bonuses reportedly worth up to $37,000 and monthly salaries of around $4,000 — figures far beyond the reach of many struggling citizens back home.

However, he said the reality is often very different.

“The job advertisement is often a deadly bait-and-switch,” Sibanda explained.

“Some believe they are joining the military; others are misled into thinking they will work as truck drivers or in construction, only to discover the truth once it is too late.”

“Most of the promises made to them are not fulfilled. In some cases, a small amount, around $2,000, is reportedly sent to their families back home via South Africa, but thereafter, many receive nothing further,” he added.

The journalist said he has since begun engaging directly with the Zimbabwean government after several Zimbabweans allegedly serving on the front lines contacted him seeking help.

“The impetus came from the soldiers themselves,” Sibanda said.

“Multiple Zimbabweans stationed on the front lines had reached out to me with a desperate request to see if their government could intervene and help them return home.”

He expressed cautious optimism about the Zimbabwean government’s response.

“I have engaged the government of Zimbabwe on this matter and am happy with their positive response,” Sibanda said.

“They have shown interest to assist, and are currently working on compiling details of Zimbabweans who may have been recruited into these mercenary operations linked to the Russian army, so I will provide them to the authorities.”

He added that many of the recruits left Zimbabwe without the knowledge or approval of government officials, making the situation more difficult to track.

“It is important to note that many of these individuals left to join without the knowledge or approval of Zimbabwean authorities,” Sibanda said.

“The situation is further complicated by the fact that recruitment is reportedly taking place in South Africa, making it difficult for the government to monitor or protect its citizens, as there is no clear oversight or record of the agencies involved.”

As the war in Ukraine drags on, families of missing and stranded Zimbabweans say they fear more young men could be drawn into the conflict unless authorities dismantle the recruitment networks and urgently secure the return of those already trapped on the battlefield.