Eleven South African men will soon return from the frontlines of the Russo-Ukraine War, the Presidency has confirmed.
“Out of the seventeen men, four are already back in the country, while eleven will be on their way home soon. Two remain in Russia with one in a hospital in Moscow while another one is being processed before finalising his travel arrangements,” read a statement released on Tuesday afternoon.
The group was allegedly told they were being sent to train as bodyguards. Instead, they found themselves in Donbas, Ukraine – fighting on behalf of Russia.
It is believed that more than 1 400 citizens of 36 African countries, including Egypt, Cameroon, Kenya and South Africa, have been duped into fighting Putin’s war.
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, former member of Parliament for uMkhonto weSizwe (MKP), has been fingered for allegedly recruiting unknowing individuals. Separately, presenter Nonkululeko Mantula and four others were arrested for their alleged involvement.
“The investigation into the circumstances that led to the recruitment of these young men into mercenary activities is ongoing,” the statement added.
Tuesday marked four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While it was business as usual in Moscow, residents of Kyiv paused to observe a moment of silence.
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Image: Ukrainian servicemen fire a howitzer cannon aimed at Russian positions on the front line nearby Bakhmut in Chasiv Yar, Ukraine on March 17, 2023. Photo by Muhammed Enes Yildirim/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
