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Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa president has thanked Russian president Vladimir Putin for helping to secure the return of 17 South African men who were allegedly misled into joining the war in Ukraine.
The men contacted the South African government last November, saying they had travelled to Russia for what they believed was bodyguard training. Instead, they found themselves sent to fight on the front line.
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On Tuesday, Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson for President Ramaphosa, confirmed that four of the men arrived home last Friday. Eleven more are expected back soon, while two remain in Russia.
“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 said in a statement.
He added that one of the two still in Russia is receiving treatment in a hospital in Moscow, while the other is completing travel arrangements. South Africa’s embassy in Moscow is monitoring the situation.
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Under South African law, it is illegal for citizens to work as mercenaries or fight for a foreign government without official approval.
Relatives of the men told the BBC that when they arrived in Russia, they were given contracts written in Russian. They say the men did not understand that they were signing up to fight against Ukrainian forces.
President Ramaphosa raised the matter directly with President Putin during a conversation on February 10, according to his office.
The case has also sparked a political storm at home. Duduzile Zuma Sambudla, daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, has been accused of playing a role in recruiting the men. She denies the allegation.
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In an affidavit submitted to police, Zuma Sambudla said she believed the men, some of whom are her relatives, were travelling for lawful training.
“I would not, under any circumstances, knowingly expose my own family or any other person to harm,” she said.
Her half sister, Nkosazana Zuma Mncube, filed a criminal complaint against her in November. Zuma Sambudla later resigned as a member of parliament.
In a separate investigation, police arrested five people in December, including a radio presenter with the public broadcaster, over alleged recruitment linked to the Russian military. They were released on bail. Their trial has not yet begun.
Authorities say investigations into how the men were recruited are continuing.
