By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has held talks on Tuesday with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on returning South Africans lured into fighting for Russian forces in Ukraine.
The men have publicly claimed that they had been duped by former Jacob Zuma’s daughter Duduzile and other parties into believing they were going to Russia for security training, only to find themselves stuck in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The matter is currently being investigated by the Hawks after one of her sisters opened a case claiming that relatives were among those that ended up in Russia.
However, Ramaphosa talks with his counterpart, comes after the families held a press briefing in Durban on Tuesday to describe their plight and that of the men who were allegedly lured to Russia with the promise of jobs.
The families have made an impassioned plea to Ramaphosa to intervene in the matter and help to bring them home.
Ramaphosa and Putin pledged support for a process to return South Africans fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, with teams from both sides set to continue engagements to finalize the effort.
“President Ramaphosa and President Putin pledged their support to the process of returning South Africans fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine,” the president’s office said in a statement.
“In is regard, teams from both sides will continue their engagements towards the finalisation of this process,” it said.
South Africa has offered to mediate in the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which is set later this month to enter its fifth year.
The two leaders also stressed the importance of continuing to coordinate approaches between Russia and South Africa, including within the G20 and the BRICS bloc – which includes both countries, along with Brazil, China, India, and others – and discussed strengthening bilateral economic ties.
Ramaphosa welcomed discussions with Moscow aimed at advancing a mutually beneficial trade and investment framework within the Russia-South Africa comprehensive strategic partnership.
South Africa’s trade with Russia is largely driven by exports of food products and capital equipment, according to the South African Foreign Ministry.
Meanwhile the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court has postponed the case against SAfm radio presenter Nonkululeko Mantula and her four co-accused to 29 April.
They are accused of recruiting South Africans to take part in the Russia-Ukraine war.
The group, arrested at OR Tambo International Airport last month, all face charges of contravening the Foreign Military Assistance Act.
Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority in Gauteng, Magaboke Mohlatlole, said the case was postponed for further investigations.
“The postponement was granted to allow the State to obtain Financial Intelligence Centre reports in respect of all the accused persons and to further seek mutual legal assistance from Russia.