The South African government has launched an investigation following reports that 17 of its citizens are stranded in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine after being lured into fighting as mercenaries.
Government spokesman Vincent Magwenya said the men, aged between 20 and 39, were allegedly recruited under false pretences, having been promised lucrative employment opportunities. President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered a probe into how they became involved in what he described as “seemingly mercenary activities.”
It remains unclear which side of the Russia–Ukraine conflict the men were fighting for. Under South African law, citizens are prohibited from joining any foreign army or armed group without official government authorization.
Magwenya revealed that 16 of the men hail from KwaZulu-Natal, while one is from the Eastern Cape. He said Pretoria is engaging through diplomatic channels to secure their safe return, condemning the exploitation of vulnerable young people by international recruiters.
Analysts have linked the situation to South Africa’s high youth unemployment rate, which exceeds 30%, making young citizens susceptible to illegal recruitment schemes.
The reports come amid growing concern over Russia’s alleged use of African nationals in combat roles since the disbandment of the Wagner paramilitary network. A recent BBC investigation revealed that Russian-linked groups have been recruiting young Africans through deceptive job offers in security and industrial sectors that later led to frontline deployment.
In August, South African authorities also warned young women to beware of fake online job adverts in Russia, following similar incidents reported in Kenya and Nigeria, where criminal networks have exploited Africans seeking work abroad.
