By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Tuesday that 11 of the 17 South African men who were lured under false pretences into fighting in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, will soon return home.
Ramaphosa expressed “heartfelt gratitude” to Russian President Vladimir Putin for his assistance in the matter and reaffirmed South Africa’s commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict through negotiation.
Spokesperson to the President Vincent Magwenya said Putin pledged his support to the men returning home during a telephone call with Ramaphosa earlier this month.
Last Thursday, four South African men, who were drawn into fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, returned home.
They were enticed to travel to Russia for jobs last July but ended up fighting alongside Russian troops in the ongoing war.
The Hawks and the South African Police Services (SAPS) are investigating the recruitment process.
Magwenya said the repatriation followed distressed calls from 17 South African men aged 20-39, with 11 on their way home and two still in Russia.
He said one is hospitalized in Moscow and the other is awaiting travel arrangements.
The South African Embassy in Moscow will continue to monitor the man in hospital until he fully recovers, while the investigation into how he and others were recruited into mercenary activities is underway, Magwenya added.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has laid criminal charges against uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) Party member Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla for the alleged mercenary recruitment.
The investigation revolves around allegations of human trafficking, fraud, and violations of the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act, which prohibits South African citizens from participating in foreign armed conflicts without government authorisation.
Zuma-Sambudla and the MK Party have since denied the allegations, claiming they were also victims of fraud by intermediaries.
Zuma-Sambudla, who was forced to resign as an MP over the scandal in late November, said in an affidavit that she thought 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 added.
In a separate case, police arrested five people in December – including a radio presenter with South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). The five were released on bail.