Zimbabwean man remanded over alleged trafficking of job seekers to fight in Russia-Ukraine war

A 48-year-old Zimbabwean man has appeared before the Harare Magistrates' Court on allegations that he recruited job seekers with promises of lucrative employment in Russia before they were allegedly forced to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war as mercenaries. Oscar Sifelani Mtshiya appeared before magistrate Jesse Kufa on Friday facing five counts of human trafficking and five counts of operating an employment agency without registration.

He was remanded in custody to 8 July 2026, when the court is expected to rule on his bail application. According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Mtshiya allegedly acted in concert with four accomplices based in Russia, who remain at large. Prosecutors allege that between January and June 2026, the accused recruited five Zimbabwean job seekers by promising them well-paying civilian jobs in Russia, including positions as firefighters and other roles linked to the Russian Ministry of Defence.

The State alleges that the victims travelled to Russia believing they had secured legitimate employment. However, upon arrival, their passports were allegedly confiscated before they were subjected to labour exploitation, underwent seven days of firearms training and were deployed to fight in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict as mercenaries. According to the prosecution, one of the five recruits was killed during the conflict.

The remaining four Zimbabweans are reportedly still in Russia, with authorities from the Department of Social Welfare and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade working to facilitate their return home. Investigators further allege that Mtshiya coordinated the victims' travel arrangements while his alleged Russian associates processed airline tickets and visas, which were then handed to the recruits.

The State also alleges that Mtshiya received funds from his alleged accomplices through his EcoCash account before transferring some of the money to the recruits to cover transport costs to Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo. He is charged under the Trafficking in Persons Act for allegedly recruiting, transporting and facilitating the trafficking of the victims for exploitation. In addition, he faces five counts of operating an employment agency without registration, contrary to the Labour Act. The matter has been postponed to 8 July for a bail ruling, while police investigations continue.

Zimbabwe man trafficked recruits to Russia