The Zimbabwean government has issued a renewed warning against deceptive overseas recruitment, saying the growing sophistication of criminal networks exploiting job seekers demands greater vigilance amid reports of citizens recruited to Russia under civilian job offers later ending up fighting in the war against Ukraine.
Police have also said they are engaging regional and international partners, including through bilateral relations, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol), to address human trafficking.
The government’s intervention follows CITE’s reporting exposing the recruitment of Zimbabweans to Russia, bringing public and official attention to concerns that people seeking employment were lured abroad through deceptive offers, with some subsequently finding themselves in dangerous circumstances far removed from the work they had expected.
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On Thursday, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Zhemu Soda, delivered the government’s statement on Safeguarding Zimbabwean Citizens from Deceptive Recruitment Practices and Human Trafficking, outlining warning signs, verification procedures and reporting channels for people considering overseas employment.
“This is not the first time the government has issued this warning; however, the escalating sophistication of these criminal networks necessitates renewed vigilance,” Dr Soda said.
He said unscrupulous networks were increasingly exploiting Zimbabweans through promises of lucrative salaries and employment opportunities in neighbouring countries, parts of the Middle East and Asia.
“Tragically, some recruits have been deployed to active battlefronts in host nations without any prior military training,” he said.
Dr Soda condemned the networks and urged citizens, families and community leaders to scrutinise international job offers before anyone commits money or travels abroad.
“Parents and guardians are strongly encouraged to maintain active awareness of where their children are travelling,” said the information minister, adding that Zimbabweans already caught in dangerous situations should inform relatives at home or contact Zimbabwean consular services in their host countries.
The warning comes amid growing concern over recruitment arrangements linked to Russia, where Zimbabweans have reportedly been promised civilian employment before some were drawn into military service.
CITE’s investigations have examined how such offers operated and the consequences for recruits and their families.
Read: https://cite.org.zw/zim-arrests-russia-recruiters-struggles-to-repatriate-deceased/
The government’s latest statement places emphasis on prevention, though the challenge remains whether public warnings will be matched by effective action against recruiters and practical assistance for those already exposed to exploitation.
The information minister identified six red flags that prospective migrant workers should watch for when assessing overseas employment offers.
These include demands for substantial upfront payments, vague job descriptions, unverifiable employer contacts, pressure to travel immediately, contracts written in languages applicants do not understand, and promises of unusually high salaries without relevant experience.
“Legitimate agencies do not demand substantial upfront fees or refuse to refund job seekers,” he said.
He also cautioned against recruiters operating without statutory licences or verifiable physical offices in Zimbabwe, as well as unsolicited offers received through international telephone numbers, cold calls or text messages.
Dr Soda urged job seekers to make sure every contract is translated into a language they understand, including English, Shona or Ndebele, before signing.
He said prospective workers should verify recruitment agencies’ registration and licensing through the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare website, www.mpslsw.gov.zw, before making payments or committing to travel.
The minister also outlined what he called the “three Rs” approach: research the agency’s history and registration, request a legally binding written contract, and report suspicious or predatory conduct to law enforcement agencies.
Applicants were further advised to contact Zimbabwean embassies or consulates in destination countries to verify prospective employers and to seek work through recognised government channels, including www.zim.gov.zw.
As additional precautions, travellers should carry physical and digital copies of their passports and visas, keep emergency contacts accessible and maintain an emergency reserve of at least US$200, Soda said.
He urged anyone who encounters suspicious recruitment practices to report them to the nearest police station.
The government also directed members of the public to the National Child and Vulnerable Hotline on 116 and the ministry’s toll-free helpline on 1980.
National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi added the government was pursuing the issue through bilateral relations and engagements involving regional bodies, police chiefs and Interpol.
“The government works through bilateral relations. And when we have these bilateral relations, the police, our Commissioner General of Police, the Minister, is part of the entourage of the government,” he said.
He said these discussions had taken place through SADC, among police chiefs and through Interpol, with partners expressing concern about the situation.
“We are happy with the support which the police are getting from the government in terms of engaging our regional partners,” he said.
However, Comm. Nyathi did not provide figures on arrests, prosecutions or victims assisted in his remarks, leaving questions about the scale of enforcement and the outcomes of the regional engagements unanswered.
The renewed warning follows President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s announcement during his State of the Nation Address last month that the government was bringing in a Trafficking in Persons Amendment Bill targeting transnational syndicates advertising non-existent jobs abroad.
President Mnangagwa said the proposed legislation would seek to protect Zimbabweans from criminal networks that exploit people through fraudulent employment opportunities.
CITE’s reporting has helped bring the experiences of Zimbabweans recruited to Russia into public and official focus while families of affected have said the effectiveness of this response depends on enforcement, accountability and meaningful assistance for those affected.
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