Overview
- In a Feb. 10 call, Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa and Vladimir Putin pledged support for returning 17 South African men, with bilateral teams continuing talks to finalise the process.
- Government and family accounts say the men were enticed to Russia with promises of jobs or training and later ended up fighting with Russian forces in Ukraine’s Donbas.
- Media reports have cited allegations that Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla facilitated travel and recruitment, which she denies.
- South Africa’s Hawks have opened an investigation under the Foreign Military Assistance Act, which prohibits unauthorised service in foreign armed forces.
- Relatives report dwindling contact and serious injuries among the men, while Ukraine’s embassy denies they fought for Ukraine and Russia’s embassy has declined comment.