JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin for assisting in the return of 17 South Africans who were allegedly misled into participating in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The men reportedly believed they were traveling to Russia for legitimate bodyguard training. Instead, they were placed on the front lines of the war in Ukraine, raising serious concerns over unlawful recruitment and mercenary activity.
Ramaphosa’s office confirmed that four of the men had already returned last Friday, while 11 others are expected home imminently, with the remaining two to follow later.
An official investigation into their recruitment is ongoing. In South Africa, serving as a mercenary or fighting for a foreign government is illegal without prior government authorization.
Relatives told Vivid Voice News that when the men arrived in Russia, they were presented with contracts written in Russian, which they did not understand, obliging them to fight as mercenaries.
“Two remain in Russia, with one receiving treatment in a Moscow hospital, and the other finalising travel arrangements,” stated Vincent Magwenya, Ramaphosa’s spokesperson.
The South African president personally discussed the situation with Putin on 10 February, securing support for the safe return of the men.
“President Ramaphosa has expressed his heartfelt gratitude to President Vladimir Putin, who responded positively to his call to support the process of returning the men home,” Magwenya added.
The South African embassy in Moscow will continue monitoring the citizen still in hospital until he is fit to travel.
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Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former President Jacob Zuma, has been named as the alleged recruiter in the scheme, an allegation she denies.
Zuma-Sambudla, who resigned from Parliament over the scandal in late November, maintained in a sworn affidavit that she believed the men, some of whom are her relatives, were going to Russia for lawful training.
“I would not, under any circumstances, knowingly expose my own family or any other person to harm,” she stated. The affidavit was filed following a criminal complaint lodged by her half-sister, Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, accusing her of misleading South Africans into the conflict.
In a related case, five individuals, including a radio presenter from South Africa’s public broadcaster, were arrested in December in connection with the alleged recruitment. They have since been released on bail, and their trial is yet to commence.
