Skip to content

Were South Africans Lured into Fighting for Russia’s War in Ukraine?

The shocking answer emerging from recent events is: yes — there’s credible evidence that some South Africans were allegedly deceived and ended up fighting in Russia’s war in Ukraine. What started as reports of a few distressed individuals has grown into a national scandal and criminal investigation with real human cost and legal consequences.

How It All Came to Light

South African authorities were alerted after 17 South African men, aged roughly 20–39, made distress calls saying they were trapped on the front lines in Ukraine after travelling to Russia under suspicious circumstances. The men reportedly believed they were signing up for security training or legitimate work opportunities, only to find themselves enlisted with a Russian mercenary group and deployed to the warzone. TimesLIVE+1

Allegations and Arrests

Multiple suspects have been arrested in South Africa in connection with this case. In late November 2025, four people were detained at OR Tambo International Airport when they were about to board a flight to Russia — suspected of facilitating the recruitment of South Africans to join Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine. IOL

Among those charged is SAfm radio presenter Nonkululeko Mantula, who, along with co-accused, has appeared in court facing charges under South Africa’s Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act — which makes it illegal for South Africans to join or recruit for foreign armed forces without government permission. News24

A High-Profile Family at the Centre

The scandal has also touched one of South Africa’s most well-known political families. Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former president Jacob Zuma and a member of Parliament, has been accused — including in a criminal complaint by her own half-sister — of playing a role in recruiting the 17 men by promising them training and opportunities that never materialised. Business Day

Zuma-Sambudla has denied wrongdoing and claimed she herself was misled, but the case has already led to her resigning from Parliament as police investigate potential human trafficking, fraud and foreign mercenary recruitment charges. Al Jazeera

What the Victims Say

Families of the 17 men have described how their loved ones were lured with promises of legitimate security work and ended up signing contracts written in Russian that they couldn’t understand. Some of the men say their identities were even changed after arriving, making communication with family difficult. sabcnews.com

These accounts raise serious concerns about exploitation and deception, and have prompted calls for the government to accelerate efforts to bring the men home safely.

Legal and Diplomatic Fallout

The South African government has confirmed a formal investigation, emphasising that recruitment for foreign militias or armies without permission is against the law and that the state is working diplomatically to repatriate affected citizens. TimesLIVE

Civil society and opposition parties — including the Democratic Alliance — are pushing for broader criminal charges, including human trafficking and fraud, against those allegedly involved in the recruitment network. sabcnews.com

A Wider Pattern

This crisis isn’t isolated to South Africa. Ukrainian officials have warned that Russia is recruiting foreign fighters from across Africa, with more than 1,400 African nationals reportedly enlisted in its ranks — sometimes under deceptive pretences and without clear understanding of what they were signing up for. Africanews

In Summary

This story continues to develop, but what’s clear is that it highlights the real dangers of foreign recruitment efforts in conflict zones — and the urgent need for legal, diplomatic and social responses to protect vulnerable young South Africans from exploitation.