HARARE — South African arms broker Mcebisi Mlonzi is negotiating a major weapons deal with the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) that would bring in a significant consignment of Russian and Chinese-made small arms, according to investigative outlet Africa Intelligence.
The publication reports that Mlonzi, who heads Johannesburg-based TFM Defence, has been in advanced talks with senior Zimbabwean military officials over the past several weeks.
The proposed contract is understood to cover a “large quantity of small-calibre weapons,” including assault rifles and ammunition sourced from Russian and Chinese manufacturers.
While details of the potential deal remain under wraps, Africa Intelligence cites diplomatic sources who say the discussions are being closely monitored by regional governments because of the sensitive nature of arms transfers in Southern Africa.
Security analysts warn that any such agreement could draw scrutiny from Western governments that maintain targeted sanctions on Zimbabwe’s military leadership.
“Even if the weapons themselves are not restricted under international embargoes, the optics of a Russian- or Chinese-supplied arsenal in Zimbabwe will raise questions about Harare’s strategic alignments,” said a Harare-based defence analyst who requested anonymity.
Neither Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Defence nor TFM Defence responded to requests for comment. The South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, which oversees arms export permits, also declined to comment.
If concluded, the deal would underscore Zimbabwe’s growing security ties with Moscow and Beijing, both of which have strengthened economic and military cooperation with Harare in recent years.
