Yesha
Member
- Jan 28, 2026
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Serikali ya Zimbabwe imethibitisha kuwa raia 15 wamefariki dunia baada ya kudanganywa na kuingizwa kwenye mapigano ya vita kati ya Urusi na Ukraine, huku wengine 66 wakiendelea kushiriki katika vita hivyo.
Akizungumza na waandishi wa habari, Waziri wa Habari, Zhemu Soda, alisema waathirika walirubuniwa kupitia matangazo ya kazi ya uongo yaliyosambazwa mitandaoni, wakiahidiwa mishahara mizuri na kazi salama.
Badala yake, walinyang’anywa nyaraka zao na kulazimishwa kuingia vitani bila mafunzo ya kutosha, hali inayowaweka kwenye hatari kubwa.
Serikali imeeleza tukio hilo kama biashara haramu ya binadamu na kuonya kuwa itachukua hatua kali dhidi ya wahusika, huku ikiendelea na juhudi za kuwarejesha waliobaki na miili ya waliofariki.
Mamlaka pia zimewataka wananchi kuwa makini na matangazo ya ajira za nje na kuyathibitisha kupitia njia rasmi.
The Government of Zimbabwe has confirmed that 15 Zimbabwean nationals have died after being trafficked into foreign combat roles in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War, while 66 others remain actively involved in the conflict.
Speaking during a press briefing, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Zhemu Soda, revealed that many of the victims were deceived into leaving the country through fraudulent job offers.
Soda said the recruitment schemes were driven by “fraudulent employment agencies ‘leveraging social media platforms as their primary hunting ground.’”
He explained that victims were promised attractive salaries and safe working conditions but were instead forced into combat, adding that they were “stripped of travel documents and ‘coerced into active combat.’”
Describing the conditions faced by the victims, the Minister said:
“They receive little to no training and are placed in life-threatening situations.”
He further warned that many families are left without answers or support, stating:
“When they are injured, killed or captured, the recruiters vanish… leaving families… with no information, no support.”
Government has classified the situation as a serious human trafficking crisis. Emphasizing this, Soda said:
“This is not a matter of legitimate military service. It is a sophisticated scheme of deception, exploitation and human trafficking.”
Authorities also confirmed that 66 Zimbabweans are still caught up in the conflict, with efforts underway to secure their return.
“The government is actively engaged in the diplomatic and logistical processes required to repatriate the remains… and bring back those still alive,” Soda said.
Government has also moved to crack down on those responsible, warning:
“Those who are trading in the lives of our citizens for profit will face the full wrath of the law.”
The revelations come amid growing concern across Africa, where similar recruitment schemes have targeted vulnerable individuals through misleading job offers.
Authorities are urging Zimbabweans to verify all foreign employment opportunities through official channels, as investigations into the trafficking networks continue
Akizungumza na waandishi wa habari, Waziri wa Habari, Zhemu Soda, alisema waathirika walirubuniwa kupitia matangazo ya kazi ya uongo yaliyosambazwa mitandaoni, wakiahidiwa mishahara mizuri na kazi salama.
Badala yake, walinyang’anywa nyaraka zao na kulazimishwa kuingia vitani bila mafunzo ya kutosha, hali inayowaweka kwenye hatari kubwa.
Serikali imeeleza tukio hilo kama biashara haramu ya binadamu na kuonya kuwa itachukua hatua kali dhidi ya wahusika, huku ikiendelea na juhudi za kuwarejesha waliobaki na miili ya waliofariki.
Mamlaka pia zimewataka wananchi kuwa makini na matangazo ya ajira za nje na kuyathibitisha kupitia njia rasmi.
============== For English Audience ==============
The Government of Zimbabwe has confirmed that 15 Zimbabwean nationals have died after being trafficked into foreign combat roles in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War, while 66 others remain actively involved in the conflict.
Speaking during a press briefing, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Zhemu Soda, revealed that many of the victims were deceived into leaving the country through fraudulent job offers.
Soda said the recruitment schemes were driven by “fraudulent employment agencies ‘leveraging social media platforms as their primary hunting ground.’”
He explained that victims were promised attractive salaries and safe working conditions but were instead forced into combat, adding that they were “stripped of travel documents and ‘coerced into active combat.’”
Describing the conditions faced by the victims, the Minister said:
“They receive little to no training and are placed in life-threatening situations.”
He further warned that many families are left without answers or support, stating:
“When they are injured, killed or captured, the recruiters vanish… leaving families… with no information, no support.”
Government has classified the situation as a serious human trafficking crisis. Emphasizing this, Soda said:
“This is not a matter of legitimate military service. It is a sophisticated scheme of deception, exploitation and human trafficking.”
Authorities also confirmed that 66 Zimbabweans are still caught up in the conflict, with efforts underway to secure their return.
“The government is actively engaged in the diplomatic and logistical processes required to repatriate the remains… and bring back those still alive,” Soda said.
Government has also moved to crack down on those responsible, warning:
“Those who are trading in the lives of our citizens for profit will face the full wrath of the law.”
The revelations come amid growing concern across Africa, where similar recruitment schemes have targeted vulnerable individuals through misleading job offers.
Authorities are urging Zimbabweans to verify all foreign employment opportunities through official channels, as investigations into the trafficking networks continue
