Online Reporter
Wallace Ruzvidzo, [email protected]
Government has warned Zimbabweans against being deceived into enlisting in foreign wars by unscrupulous individuals and networks that operate with complete disregard for human life.
Addressing a Press conference in Harare yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda said this was not a matter of legitimate military service but a sophisticated scheme of deception, exploitation and human trafficking that had already led to the loss of 15 Zimbabwean lives.
“These traffickers use sophisticated methods, often leveraging social media platforms as their primary hunting ground.
“They lure unsuspecting Zimbabweans with false promises of lucrative employment opportunities — typically advertised as security work, logistics support, or private contracting roles in foreign countries.
“The offer of employment may sound lucrative, but in many cases, the money is never given, and the recruiters are nowhere to be found when something goes wrong.
“It is unfortunate that some of our migrants end up in very difficult predicaments that include human trafficking, sexual exploitation, forced labour, becoming stranded in unknown destinations, or ending up in war zones,” he said.
He said the deception followed a typical pattern where victims were promised attractive salaries and safe working conditions, but upon arrival, were stripped of their travel documents and personal belongings. Instead of the promised roles, they were coerced into active combat.
They received little to no training and were placed in life‑threatening situations. When they were injured, killed or captured, the recruiters vanished, leaving families in Zimbabwe with no information, no support, and no one to hold accountable. In many cases, the promised remuneration was never paid, and families learned of their loved ones’ fates through unofficial channels.
Minister Soda said President Mnangagwa had directed his administration to act with urgency and resolve the matter.
“We are seized with this issue on several critical fronts.
“First, regarding the deceased, the Government is actively engaged in the complex diplomatic and logistical efforts required to repatriate the remains of the 15 fallen Zimbabweans.
“We are working through established international channels to ensure that these citizens are brought back home and laid to rest with the dignity and honour they deserve, despite the tragic circumstances of their departure,” he said.
On law enforcement, Minister Soda said the security cluster had been instructed to intensify efforts to identify, track and dismantle the criminal networks behind the trafficking syndicate.
“Those who are trading in the lives of our citizens for profit will face the full wrath of the law.
“We will treat these acts as the grave crimes they are: human trafficking and the facilitation of foreign military service, which are illegal under Zimbabwean law,” he said.
On public awareness and employment regulation, he said the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare was leading efforts to protect citizens.
“The Ministry wishes to alert the public to the growing number of fraudulent private employment agencies and individuals who are misleading job seekers with false promises of employment opportunities, both locally and abroad.
“To continue protecting our nationals from exploitation, trafficking and unsafe working conditions, the Ministry has intensified the regulation and monitoring of private employment agencies through the following measures:
“All agencies facilitating foreign employment must be registered, vetted and licensed.
“They are mandated to notify the Registrar of Private Employment Agencies of any foreign recruitment,” said Minister Soda.He said the Registrar would verify all job orders in liaison with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, through embassies and consulates worldwide.
Once due diligence had been completed, agencies were then authorised to continue with the recruitment process.
“This ensures that we safeguard our citizens from falling prey and becoming victims of human trafficking, and promotes safe and ethical recruitment among registered private employment agencies.
“To date, we have 57 registered private employment agencies.
“The Ministry undertakes routine inspections of these agencies, and those found violating the law or engaging in deceptive recruitment practices will face suspension, cancellation of licences and prosecution where necessary.
“Licensed agencies ensure that all departing workers receive accurate information on their rights, employment conditions and available support services in destination countries by utilising Migrant Resource Centres,” he said.
Minister Soda said Government was strengthening bilateral labour agreements to ensure Zimbabweans abroad worked under safe, fair and legally binding conditions.
“Examples include bilateral agreements on the exchange of teachers between Zimbabwe and Rwanda. We are also in the process of concluding other bilateral labour agreements with the Republic of Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Poland and Belarus.
“Two Migrant Resource Centres were established in Harare and Bulawayo.
“These remain a cornerstone of our safe migration strategy, as they provide verified information on job opportunities, legal migration pathways, and the risks associated with irregular migration,” he said.
Furthermore, Government has established Reception and Support Centres at the border towns of Plumtree and Beitbridge. These centres will serve as places of safety for vulnerable migrants returning from Botswana and South Africa.
At these facilities, migrants will receive safe migration information, shelter, food and other necessities before reintegration with their families.
The Ministry has also established a Repatriation Centre in Harare, another place of safety where vulnerable migrants are temporarily accommodated before repatriation and reintegration into their countries of origin.
Minister Soda called on the media to help educate citizens about the scourge of unscrupulous job agents.
“This is where my Ministry and, importantly, you in the media, play a critical role. We are launching an urgent, nationwide public awareness campaign to educate citizens about this scourge.
“Through our broadcasting platforms, social media channels and community engagement structures, we will expose the tactics used by traffickers and fraudulent recruiters.
“But we cannot do this alone. We ask you, the members of the press, to carry this message far and wide.
“Dedicate airtime, print space and digital platforms to this issue. Share the warning signs.
“Amplify the message that no offer of employment, no matter how lucrative it may sound, is worth the risk of falling into the hands of traffickers. Together we can build a wall of awareness that these criminals cannot penetrate,” he said.
He added that the safety and dignity of Zimbabwean nationals, at home or abroad, remained at the heart of Government’s priorities.
“The Government will continue to strengthen partnerships with international organisations and destination countries, promote safe, orderly and regular migration, hold accountable any individuals or agencies that endanger the lives of our citizens, and conduct awareness campaigns on safe migration through various platforms such as social media, community engagements, outreaches, and distribution of information material in all provinces and in all languages, to ensure no one and no place is left behind,” Minister Soda said.
The press conference was also attended by Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Deputy Minister Mercy Bimha, Information Permanent Secretary Mr Nick Mangwana, and Acting Defence Permanent Secretary Mr Tendai Garabwa.
