A group of 11 South African men allegedly lured to fight alongside Russian soldiers in the war against Ukraine arrive at King Shaka International Airport in Durban on Wednesday. Two South Africans lured to fight in the conflict have died.
Image: AFP
International Relations and Co-operation Minister Ronald Lamola has revealed that two South Africans lured to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war have died.
Speaking to news channel eNCA this week, Lamola said the government had been informed of the two deaths. He said these two people were not among the group of 17 who had appealed for help after they claimed they were lured into fighting on behalf of Russia in the conflict.
The families of the 17 men said they were told that they were being recruited for security training and job opportunities in Russia.
Four of the 17 men returned last week. An additional 11 returned on Wednesday, Lamola confirmed. He revealed that the remaining men were in hospital in Russia and the doctors had declared that they were not yet fit to travel.
Lamola added however that they had been released from their contracts that had kept them in Russia and therefore would be free to leave once well enough to do so.
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 our 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.
Lamola, who met with the families of the South African men recently repatriated, 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.
The Mercury has previously reported that Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of MKP leader and former state president Jacob Zuma, has been accused of being involved in luring the 17 men to go to Russia under the pretext of training for security.
Some of the men have previously claimed that she was part of the reason they were convinced to go there, as she had allegedly stated that she was also doing the training.
Zuma-Sambudla has denied allegations of wrongdoing and said she was deceived by the recruiter.
The DA has also laid criminal charges against her, accusing her of human trafficking and violating South Africa’s anti-mercenary laws.
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 the Russia -Ukraine conflict.
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.
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