South Africa’s government has launched an investigation into how 17 of its citizens ended up fighting in Ukraine, after the men contacted authorities asking for assistance to return home from the conflict zone.
According to an official statement issued on Thursday, the individuals — aged between 20 and 39 — were recruited under false job promises and are currently stranded in the Donbas region, one of the most heavily militarised areas in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Authorities did not disclose which side of the conflict the men had been deployed to.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has directed security agencies to establish how the recruitment network operated, who funded the travel arrangements, and whether any criminal syndicates or online recruiters were involved in targeting South African youth.
Under the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act, it is illegal for South African citizens to fight for or provide military services to foreign governments, armed groups, or private armies without explicit approval from Pretoria. Violations can attract severe legal consequences.
Government officials say the case appears consistent with broader patterns of human trafficking and fraudulent overseas job schemes. In August, the government issued a national alert after fake job adverts in Russia circulated on social media, following reports that South African women had been deceived into drone assembly work linked to the war effort.
The latest incident has renewed calls for stronger public education on transnational scams, better coordination with Interpol and foreign embassies, and tougher action against recruiters exploiting South Africans seeking work abroad.
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Source:Africa Publicity
