Feed your fam or die trying to: Zim national killed in Ukraine as Southern Africans lured by US$3k dangling carrot

NewsPoliticsBy Nigel PfundeUkraine- Zimbabwean national Mandla Ncube has been killed in Ukraine’s Donbas region after being recruited to fight for Russian forces.This development shows a growing trend in which Southern Africans are being drawn into the war by promises of monthly salaries of up to US$3 000.Ncube is reported to have joined the conflict after being offered between US$2 000 and US$2 500 per month with recruiters increasingly advertising payments of as much as US$3 000 to attract more fighters from the region.His death comes amid reports that Russia has enlisted at least 1 400 fighters from 36 African countries, including Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Somalia and Cameroon.In a message shared after his death, Ncube’s wife reflected on the economic hardships that push many men to take such risks.Writing beneath his photograph, she said:“Inkosi ivumele ma love lawe ubuzama impilo njengamanye amadoda,” which can be loosely translated to ” he had gone in search of a better life, like many other men.”Analysts say the recruitment drive targets Africans facing unemployment and poverty with US dollar salaries proving a powerful incentive despite the dangers of combat zones.Leave a ReplyCancel reply NewsPoliticsBy Nigel PfundeUkraine- Zimbabwean national Mandla Ncube has been killed in Ukraine’s Donbas region after being recruited to fight for Russian forces.This development shows a growing trend in which Southern Africans are being drawn into the war by promises of monthly salaries of up to US$3 000.Ncube is reported to have joined the conflict after being offered between US$2 000 and US$2 500 per month with recruiters increasingly advertising payments of as much as US$3 000 to attract more fighters from the region.His death comes amid reports that Russia has enlisted at least 1 400 fighters from 36 African countries, including Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Somalia and Cameroon.In a message shared after his death, Ncube’s wife reflected on the economic hardships that push many men to take such risks.Writing beneath his photograph, she said:“Inkosi ivumele ma love lawe ubuzama impilo njengamanye amadoda,” which can be loosely translated to ” he had gone in search of a better life, like many other men.”Analysts say the recruitment drive targets Africans facing unemployment and poverty with US dollar salaries proving a powerful incentive despite the dangers of combat zones. Ukraine- Zimbabwean national Mandla Ncube has been killed in Ukraine’s Donbas region after being recruited to fight for Russian forces. This development shows a growing trend in which Southern Africans are being drawn into the war by promises of monthly salaries of up to US$3 000.

Ncube is reported to have joined the conflict after being offered between US$2 000 and US$2 500 per month with recruiters increasingly advertising payments of as much as US$3 000 to attract more fighters from the region. His death comes amid reports that Russia has enlisted at least 1 400 fighters from 36 African countries, including Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Somalia and Cameroon. In a message shared after his death, Ncube’s wife reflected on the economic hardships that push many men to take such risks. “Inkosi ivumele ma love lawe ubuzama impilo njengamanye amadoda,” which can be loosely translated to ” he had gone in search of a better life, like many other men.” Analysts say the recruitment drive targets Africans facing unemployment and poverty with US dollar salaries proving a powerful incentive despite the dangers of combat zones.