News / National
Zimbabwe man trapped in mercenary plot
2 hrs ago |
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A Hwange man has appeared before the Harare Magistrates' Court on human trafficking charges after allegedly recruiting five Zimbabweans to travel to Russia under the false promise of employment, before they were reportedly forced to fight in the Russia–Ukraine war.
Oscar Mtshiya is facing charges of trafficking in persons for the purpose of labour exploitation.
According to the State, Mtshiya allegedly acted in concert with two Russian nationals, identified only as Denis and Victor, who remain at large, as well as two other accomplices, to recruit and traffic five Zimbabwean victims between January and June 2026.
Prosecutors allege the victims were lured with promises of well-paying firefighting jobs in Moscow, attractive working conditions and, in some instances, employment with Russia's Ministry of Defence.
The court heard that the syndicate allegedly arranged visas and airline tickets for the victims before facilitating their travel from Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport to Russia.
Mtshiya is also accused of receiving money from his alleged accomplices through an EcoCash agent, Senia Muusha, and forwarding the funds to the victims to cover transport costs to the airports.
According to the prosecution, the victims' passports and travel documents were confiscated upon arrival in Russia by the alleged accomplices.
Instead of taking up the promised employment, the victims were allegedly compelled to join a private military organisation as mercenaries.
The State alleges that they were subjected to labour exploitation, denied freedom of movement, given seven days of firearms training and deployed to the war in Ukraine.
The case reportedly came to light after the wife of one of the victims, who was killed during deployment, reported the matter to the police.
She is currently working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to facilitate the repatriation of her husband's remains.
Police were also alerted after other victims managed to contact relatives in Zimbabwe and inform them of their situation.
According to the State, the surviving victims remain in Russia while the Department of Social Welfare, with the assistance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, is working to secure their return to Zimbabwe.
The matter remains before the courts, and Mtshiya is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in accordance with the law.
Oscar Mtshiya is facing charges of trafficking in persons for the purpose of labour exploitation.
According to the State, Mtshiya allegedly acted in concert with two Russian nationals, identified only as Denis and Victor, who remain at large, as well as two other accomplices, to recruit and traffic five Zimbabwean victims between January and June 2026.
Prosecutors allege the victims were lured with promises of well-paying firefighting jobs in Moscow, attractive working conditions and, in some instances, employment with Russia's Ministry of Defence.
The court heard that the syndicate allegedly arranged visas and airline tickets for the victims before facilitating their travel from Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport to Russia.
Mtshiya is also accused of receiving money from his alleged accomplices through an EcoCash agent, Senia Muusha, and forwarding the funds to the victims to cover transport costs to the airports.
According to the prosecution, the victims' passports and travel documents were confiscated upon arrival in Russia by the alleged accomplices.
Instead of taking up the promised employment, the victims were allegedly compelled to join a private military organisation as mercenaries.
The State alleges that they were subjected to labour exploitation, denied freedom of movement, given seven days of firearms training and deployed to the war in Ukraine.
The case reportedly came to light after the wife of one of the victims, who was killed during deployment, reported the matter to the police.
She is currently working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to facilitate the repatriation of her husband's remains.
Police were also alerted after other victims managed to contact relatives in Zimbabwe and inform them of their situation.
According to the State, the surviving victims remain in Russia while the Department of Social Welfare, with the assistance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, is working to secure their return to Zimbabwe.
The matter remains before the courts, and Mtshiya is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in accordance with the law.
Source - The Standard
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