Cyril Ramaphosa has thanked Vladimir Putin for helping secure the return of 17 South Africans allegedly tricked into joining the Russia-Ukraine war.
The South African government said the men believed they were travelling to Russia for bodyguard training but instead found themselves on the front line of the conflict in Ukraine after signing contracts written in Russian.
Ramaphosa’s office confirmed that four of the men returned home last Friday, 11 are expected back soon, while two will return at a later stage. One of the remaining men is in hospital in Moscow, and another is undergoing travel processing.
According to presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, Ramaphosa spoke with Putin on 10 February and expressed “heartfelt gratitude” for Russia’s cooperation in facilitating the men’s return. South Africa’s embassy in Moscow will continue monitoring the citizen still hospitalised until he is fit to travel.
Working as a mercenary or fighting for a foreign government without authorisation is illegal in South Africa. Authorities have launched an investigation into how the men were recruited.
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former President Jacob Zuma, has been named as the alleged recruiter an accusation she denies. She said in an affidavit that she believed the men, some of whom are her relatives, were travelling for lawful training and that she would not knowingly expose anyone to harm.
Her half-sister, Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, filed a criminal complaint in November, accusing her of deception.
In a separate but related case, South African police arrested five individuals in December including a radio presenter with the public broadcaster over alleged recruitment for the Russian military. They were released on bail, and their trial is yet to begin.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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