By a Correspondent
The Zimbabwean government has begun collecting DNA samples from families searching for relatives who went missing or were reportedly killed after travelling to Russia, where they are believed to have been recruited to fight in the war against Ukraine.
The exercise is being coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
Relatives travelled from different parts of the country, including Beitbridge, Lower Gweru and Masvingo, to provide samples that could help establish the identities of missing or deceased Zimbabweans.
For many families, the exercise comes after months of uncertainty over the whereabouts and fate of their loved ones.
Russia has been accused of recruiting African nationals to bolster its forces in the war against Ukraine, often through promises of civilian employment. Moscow has denied allegations of coercive or deceptive recruitment.
While the DNA exercise is expected to assist in identifying missing or deceased Zimbabweans, families are also seeking information on when results will be available and what arrangements will be made to bring home the remains of those confirmed dead.
Some relatives said they had spent months trying to obtain information from authorities in Zimbabwe and Russia without receiving clear answers.
Beyond identifying their loved ones, families are concerned about the financial difficulties facing dependants left behind, particularly children whose parents or guardians may have died abroad.
They are calling for clarity on whether government assistance will be available to support affected families.
Reports of Zimbabweans and other African nationals being recruited into Russia’s military have raised concerns about the methods used to attract foreign fighters.
Some recruits are alleged to have travelled after being promised civilian jobs, including positions as drivers and security personnel, only to find themselves in military service and deployed to the front lines in Ukraine.
International human rights organisation Amnesty International has also raised concerns about the recruitment of foreign nationals through deceptive employment offers.
Zimbabwe’s government has previously warned job seekers against fraudulent overseas employment opportunities and said police were working with regional and international partners to address human trafficking concerns.
