By Sharon Tawuya
Harare, (New Ziana) — The Government on Thursday renewed its urgent national alert over a surge in deceptive cross-border recruitment and human trafficking syndicates targeting Zimbabwean job seekers, warning that some victims have ended up on active battlefronts abroad.
In a joint statement by the Ministries of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare and Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services presented by Minister Zhemu Soda of the latter Ministry, the government said while this is not the first time it has warned the public, the increasing sophistication of the criminal networks now requires heightened vigilance.
Dr Soda said unscrupulous networks are increasingly exploiting citizens by promising lucrative salaries and employment opportunities in neighbouring countries, parts of the Middle East and Asia.
“The Government of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, reiterates its urgent national alert regarding the persistent rise in deceptive cross-border recruitment practices and human trafficking syndicates targeting local job seekers. This is not the first time the Government has issued this warning; however, the escalating sophistication of these criminal networks necessitates renewed vigilance,” he said.
He said tragically, some recruits have been deployed to active battlefronts in host nations without any prior military training.
“Zimbabwean law strictly prohibits the recruitment of citizens for mercenary activities,” he said.
Dr Soda said the Government strongly condemned the predatory networks and implored citizens, families and community leaders to remain highly vigilant, exercise extreme caution and thoroughly vet all international job offers.
Parents and guardians were urged to maintain active awareness of where their children are travelling.
“Furthermore, citizens who have fallen victim to these deceptive recruitment schemes and find themselves in dire circumstances should make every effort to report their situation to relatives back home or contact Zimbabwean consular services in their respective host countries,” he said.
He said job seekers should be on the lookout for common signs of fraud which include recruiters who demand substantial upfront fees or refuse to refund job seekers, those who provide vague job descriptions, maintain unverifiable employer contacts or pressure candidates to leave the country immediately.
The public was also warned against signing contracts written in a foreign language, with the Government insisting every document must be fully translated into an official language understood by the recruit such as English, Shona or Ndebele.
Other red flags include offers that promise instant wealth or claim no experience is required, recruiters who operate without statutory licences or a verifiable physical office address, and unexpected job offers originating from international numbers through cold calls or text messages.
To protect themselves, citizens have been urged to verify the legal standing and licensing status of any agency directly through the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare portal at http://www.mpslsw.gov.zw before committing. They should also research the agency’s history, request legally binding written contracts and report any suspicious or predatory behaviour to law enforcement.
Government further advised job seekers to seek consular clearance by contacting the nearest Zimbabwean Embassy or Consulate in the destination country to verify the legitimacy of the host employer before making any payments or travelling. Citizens have been encouraged to seek placement only through verified Government platforms including the primary Government portal at http://www.zim.gov.zw.
As a safety measure, those who do travel have been urged to carry duplicate physical and digital copies of their passport and visa, maintain accessible emergency contacts and keep at least US$200 safely concealed for emergency contingencies.
Those who encounter suspicious recruitment practices have been urged to report immediately to the nearest police station, contact the National Child and Vulnerable Hotline on 116 or reach the Ministry’s toll-free helpline on 1980.
Addressing the same conference, National Police spokesperson, Paul Nyathi confirmed that some members of syndicates who have been luring Zimbabweans for fake employment opportunities were arrested.
“I can confirm that the police managed to effect some arrests of a syndicate involving local and foreign nationals who are luring Zimbabweans to go to some of these foreign countries.
“We are also appealing to Zimbabweans that they must verify; they must communicate,” he said.
Nyathi warned: “We appeal to Zimbabweans; do not put your life in danger when you are told that you have no proper destination; you have no verification of where you are going, please do not insist on going where your life is at risk.”
New Ziana
