The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has revealed thattwo South Africans lured to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war have died.
Image: File
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation has revealed thattwo South Africans lured to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war have died.
Minister Ronald Lamola said they were not linked to the 17 men recruited via the MK Party, but another group.
“So that should be very clear, it will not confuse as part of the 17. They were not part of the 17. It's part of another recruitment drive or another scheme that took them there.
“So except those that died, there is also others that were part of the scheme. But as per the cooperation and the work of the two heads of states and our processes, almost most or all South Africans have now been released from the front line,” he said.
The minister said the government’s immediate focus is now on facilitating their return to South Africa, where legal processes will follow.
“What we are now dealing with is their return, and that as and when they arrive in South Africa, the law must take its course,” Lamola said.He acknowledged that some individuals may attempt to avoid accountability upon their return.
“So you will also understand human nature among some of them. They do want some of them to try to evade the processes of law enforcement when they come to South Africa.
“But the police and all the law enforcement authorities are on standby, ready to deal with all South Africans as they return.“From side as government, we are very clear that the law must take its course. Everyone who is involved in this scheme must be held accountable and there must be consequences for this,” Lamola said.
The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr. Ronald Lamola, has formally met with the families of the South African men recently repatriated after being caught in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
In a statement later, Lamola called for public vigilance.
"Our empathy for the families is matched by our duty to uphold the laws of our Republic."
He said the Ministry is deeply concerned by the "suspicious circumstances" and predatory recruitment tactics used to lure citizens into danger.
"If a job offer abroad sounds too good to be true, it probably is," the Minister cautioned. South Africans are urged to exercise extreme due diligence when pursuing international employment, particularly those involving "security," "logistics," or "technical support" in high-risk regions.
The government continues to investigate the networks involved in these recruitment efforts to ensure that those who exploit vulnerable citizens face the full might of the law.
Authorities allege that 17 men, mostly aged between 20 and 39, including 16 from KwaZulu-Natal and one from the Eastern Cape, were sent to Russia in July 2025 after being lured with promises of legitimate security work.
The allegations surfaced after one of Zuma-Sambudla’s sisters, Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, submitted an affidavit requesting a formal investigation.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has also laid criminal charges against her, accusing her of human trafficking and violating South Africa’s anti-mercenary laws.
The DA said it had obtained around 100 WhatsApp messages allegedly administered by Zuma-Sambudla, showing “clear coordination in luring at least 22 men to Russia under the guise of ‘personal development’, ‘security training’ and even promises of Russian or Canadian citizenship.”
Families corroborated these claims, saying the young men were misled, had their passports confiscated, and were cut off from communication with relatives. The DA described this as “clear indicators of trafficking and coercion.”
IOL previously reported that Zuma-Sambudla resigned as an MK Party Member of Parliament. The party said her resignation was voluntary and not an admission of guilt.
MK Party head of the presidency Magesela Mzobe said she stepped down to focus on helping families bring the men safely home.
“Comrade Dudu was never forced to resign. She volunteered because she wanted to focus on helping families return their loved ones,” he said.
MK Party chairperson Nathi Nhleko added that she had cooperated fully with authorities and was not involved in sending the men to Russia.
In a related case, SAfm presenter Nonkululeko Mantula and co-accused Xolani Ntuli, Sifiso Mabena, Siphamandla Tshabalala, and Thulani Mazibuko appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court in December, facing charges of recruiting South Africans to fight in Ukraine.
All were granted bail, with Mantula receiving R30,300, Ntuli R15,000, and the other three R5,000 each.
The SAPS confirmed that the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI), known as the Hawks, is probing a case against Zuma-Sambudla.
IOL News