The South African government has reported receiving distress calls from 17 citizens who have reportedly joined mercenary forces involved in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. These individuals, aged between 20 and 39, are currently located in the Donbas region of Ukraine, which has been significantly affected by the war. President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered an investigation into how these young men were recruited for what has been described as mercenary activities, although it remains unspecified which side they are fighting for.
In South Africa, participating as a mercenary or fighting for a foreign government is illegal unless sanctioned by the South African government. According to government sources, the men were enticed by offers of lucrative contracts. Government spokesman Vincent Magwenya indicated that the administration is pursuing “diplomatic channels” to facilitate their return. Of the 17 individuals, 16 hail from KwaZulu-Natal, while one is from the Eastern Cape.
Additionally, the South African government has expressed strong condemnation of the exploitation of vulnerable youth by entities linked to foreign military operations. Contextually, this incident occurs within a broader landscape, as there is evidence suggesting that Russia is actively seeking to strengthen its influence in Africa through groups like the Africa Corps, which has taken over roles previously held by the Wagner Group in West Africa.
In a related context, the South African government issued warnings in August to young women about social media recruitment scams promoting employment opportunities abroad, particularly in Russia. Reports indicate that many women have been taken to Russia’s Alabuga Special Economic Zone to work in weapons factories, with estimates suggesting over 1,000 individuals from Africa and South Asia have been recruited for this purpose.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c93djnedql3o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss