The government has remained conspicuously silent despite mounting evidence that African women and teenagers are being abused in Russia’s Alabuga Special Economic Zone (SEZ), drawing criticism from human rights activists who say Harare is failing to protect its citizens.
Reports have linked the Alabuga SEZ — a high-security industrial hub now associated with Moscow’s drone production and military logistics — to the exploitation of young African women recruited under the guise of education and skills development.
The recruitment drive, branded Alabuga Start, has allegedly targeted young women from across the continent, including South Africa, Uganda, and Nigeria.
Victims are said to have been lured through social media influencers, student networks, and organisations with diplomatic links, all promising “training and entrepreneurship opportunities” in Russia.
Zimbabwe was expected to raise the matter at the Second Ministerial Conference of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum, held in Cairo, Egypt, from December 19 to 20.
Instead, the issue went unmentioned.
Zimbabwe was represented at the conference by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Amon Murwira.
The high-level meeting brought together ministers from more than 50 African countries and senior officials from regional and continental bodies.
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It was co-chaired by Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and Angolan Foreign Minister Tete António, the current chair of the African Union Council of Ministers.
The forum is widely regarded as strategically important for Africa, as it aims to strengthen political and economic cooperation with Russia, enhance development partnerships, and increase Africa’s influence on the global stage.
Foreign Affairs ministry spokesperson Philisiwe Chidawanyika confirmed Murwira’s participation but made no reference to the Alabuga allegations.
“The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade is participating in the meeting in Cairo. The Ministerial Conference will, among other things, review progress in implementing the Action Plan of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum for 2023–2026 and discuss new potential areas of cooperation, primarily in trade, economic, and investment,” Chidawanyika told NewsDay.
She added: “Under its reaffirmation, engagement, and re-engagement policy, and guided by the doctrine that ‘Zimbabwe is open for business,’ Zimbabwe continues to engage other countries for mutually beneficial cooperation to promote trade, investment, and economic development.
“The Minister is also engaging bilateral partners — having already met his counterparts from Algeria, Egypt, and Russia — on the margins of the conference to strengthen and deepen cooperation.”
Activists, however, argue that Zimbabwe’s silence sends a dangerous signal at a time when young Africans are allegedly being drawn into exploitative labour linked to Russia’s military-industrial complex.
Linda Masarira, president of the opposition party LEAD, said what is unfolding at Alabuga “demands an immediate, whole-of-government response” and tougher regulation of overseas recruitment schemes.
Human rights advocate Effie Ncube said Africa’s widespread poverty has created fertile ground for exploitation.
“It’s not surprising that many have been dragged into the Ukraine-Russia conflict. This should concern every African government,” he said.
Bulawayo-based gender activist Thando Gwiji echoed similar concerns, warning that desperation is pushing young people into dangerous situations.
“Youth desperation is now so severe that many will volunteer to be enslaved and fed rather than be free and hungry,” Gwiji said, calling for stronger investment in women’s rights initiatives and digital safety education to protect vulnerable youth.
The Russian Embassy in Zimbabwe has previously dismissed the allegations, defending the Alabuga Start programme as a model of Russia–Africa cooperation.
The embassy said the initiative is designed to train highly skilled personnel in areas such as drone manufacturing and technical innovation.
“The intention of the Russian government is to increase the number of scholarships allocated to Zimbabwean youth,” the embassy said.
Meanwhile, reports from South Africa indicate that Pretoria is in talks with Russia to repatriate 17 South African men fighting for Russia in Ukraine, after they were allegedly tricked into frontline deployment.
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla has been accused in multiple lawsuits of luring the 17 South African and two Botswanan men to Russia in July, allegedly telling them they would train as bodyguards for her father’s uMkhonto weSizwe political party or attend a personal development course.
