Watch live as Gambakwe unpacks the recruitment of Zimbabweans in Russia to fight in Ukraine.

More Zimbabwean Fighters are stuck in Russia

Reports suggest that Russia has enlisted over 1,400 fighters from 36 African countries, including Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Cameroon, and South Africa.

Journalist Ezra Tshisa Sibanda said he has contacted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade asking the government to help Zimbabweans who are trapped in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

In a letter dated 10 March 2026, Sibanda said several Zimbabwean men were deceived by recruitment agents who promised them good jobs in Russia such as truck driving, security, and cleaning work. They were told they would receive a once-off payment of US$37,000 and a monthly salary of US$4,000.

However, when they arrived in Russia, their passports were taken away and they were reportedly taken to military barracks instead of workplaces. Sibanda said the men were given only two weeks of basic firearm training before being sent to the frontlines of the war in Donetsk.

According to the testimonies he received, many Zimbabweans have already died, while others have been seriously injured, especially in drone attacks. Some reportedly received little or no medical care, and others were so distressed that they took their own lives. The men say they are not allowed to leave, and they fear they could be shot if they try to escape.

Sibanda also said the financial promises were not honoured, with some families receiving only about US$1,000 once, instead of the large salaries that were promised.

He has urged the Zimbabwean government to urgently engage Russian authorities to locate, protect, and bring the Zimbabweans back home. Sibanda said he also has names of the recruitment agents and contact details of some of the Zimbabweans trapped in the conflict, and he is ready to share this information to help investigations and rescue efforts.

Another journalist, Zenzele Ndebele says some Zimbabweans are paying recruiters $500 to be sent to the front to fight.

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Business

Under Chairman Thabo Dloti, African Bank is undergoing significant leadership changes, described as “bloodletting.”. Sibongiseni Ngundze, the head of consumer banking, has been “axed” (fired).  Sibusiso Kumalo, the group chief marketing officer, was suspended on Friday. These events follow the earlier removal of CEO Kennedy Bungane. Zweli Manyathi, the head of business and commercial banking, has been appointed as the interim CEO. The investigation into Kumalo involves allegations of a lifestyle audit and “suspect deals with service providers.”

Other departures:

Gobisa Ntshona (or Gcobisa Nshona; Group Chief People Officer): Left the bank last year (2025, prior to the latest departures in early 2026).

Unathi Mtya (Group Information and Digital Officer): Also left the bank last year (2025).

CEOs

Basani Maluleke — Served as CEO (joined the bank in 2018, left in 2021 after professional differences with the board).

Gustav Raubenheimer — Served as interim CEO in 2021 (following Maluleke’s departure; previously head of credit).

Kennedy Bungeane (also referred to as Bungane) — Served as Group CEO (from around 2021 until his resignation with immediate effect last Friday, i.e., early March 2026).

Thabo Dloti joined African Bank as Chairman (non-executive director and Chairperson of the Boards of African Bank and African Bank Holdings Limited) on March 12, 2019.

African Bank: Declined to comment on Ngundze’s departure at the time of publication. Regarding Kumalo, it stated it is an internal HR matter and that proper processes are being followed.

Sibusiso Kumalo: Declined to comment on the allegations, stating he wants to respect the disciplinary process and not be seen as interfering with the investigation.

Sibongiseni Ngundze: Declined to comment, referring inquiries to the bank.

International

1.  Black Coffee (Nkosinathi Maphumulo) is currently involved in a significant legal dispute with Maserati South Africa.The dispute centers on a customized Maserati MC20 Cielo (the convertible version of the MC20) valued at R9 million.In March 2026, Black Coffee filed court documents in the Johannesburg High Court seeking to cancel the purchase agreement and receive a full refund of his R7 million down payment. The DJ alleges that the dealership failed to meet a July 2025 delivery deadline. The dealership denies that a firm deadline was ever agreed upon and further claims that Black Coffee never finalized the specific customized Fuoriserie specifications he wanted for the vehicle. : The deal reportedly involved a R7 million trade-in of his previous 2022 MC20 Coupe, with the remaining R2 million to be paid upon delivery of the new Cielo model. Black Coffee has a long history with the brand; he was previously involved in a public incident in 2015 when he was arrested for speeding in a different Maserati model.
2. Standard Bank Group CEO Sim Tshabalala plans to step down at the end of 2027, when he turns 60. The search for his successor is a top priority for the board and is described as the single most important job for both the board and the CEO. Succession planning at Standard Bank is taken very seriously, with significant investment in executive pipelines. The pipelines are described as deep, rich, and the largest in the country. The successor is expected to be an accomplished executive from within Standard Bank, capable of running the large, complex multinational organisation. Tshabalala emphasized it will be someone seasoned, who has been “through the wars and managing volatility.” The announcement of the successor would be under the purview of Standard Bank’s chair.

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