Zim family faces uncertainty after relative is reportedly killed in Russia

Another Zimbabwean national has reportedly been killed in Russia, with his family facing difficulties bringing his remains home to Zimbabwe for burial.

The deceased has been identified as Godfrey Mavhembu Nhundu, whose family is reportedly struggling to establish a way to repatriate his remains.

The family is also frustrated by what it describes as a lack of cooperation and assistance from Russian authorities as it tries to make arrangements for his return.

The circumstances surrounding Nhundu’s death, including where he was killed and whether he had been recruited to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war, have not yet been independently established.

His reported death comes amid growing concerns about Zimbabweans travelling to Russia after allegedly being promised lucrative employment opportunities, only to find themselves caught up in the country’s war against Ukraine.

Fresh arrests in South Africa

The latest development comes as South African authorities arrested nine foreign nationals suspected of attempting to travel to Russia to participate in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

According to the South African Police Service, the suspects, aged between 20 and 26, were arrested on Sunday, 8 November, at OR Tambo International Airport and a hotel in Johannesburg’s Bruma area.

The arrests followed an investigation involving the Hawks, Interpol and other law enforcement agencies.

The suspects are expected to face charges relating to the contravention of South Africa’s Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act.

Authorities have not disclosed their nationalities or established which side of the conflict they allegedly intended to join.

Zimbabweans caught up in Russia’s war

Zimbabwe has previously acknowledged the deaths of citizens recruited into the conflict.

In March 2026, Information Minister Zhemu Soda announced that 15 Zimbabweans had died, while 66 others remained in Russia.

The government subsequently revised the reported death toll to 18.

Families have since struggled to establish the whereabouts of missing relatives and secure the return of those reportedly killed.

In October, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade organised DNA sample collection exercises in Bulawayo to help identify Zimbabweans who disappeared or were reportedly killed after travelling to Russia.

The exercise involved relatives from different parts of the country hoping to establish what happened to their loved ones.

Nhundu’s reported death adds to the growing number of families seeking answers about Zimbabweans caught up in the conflict.

His family’s struggle also raises renewed questions about the support available to bereaved relatives seeking to bring home the remains of citizens who die abroad.