US EditionSouth Africa Seeks Return of 17 Men Allegedly Deceived Into Russian Military
South African officials engage Russia to repatriate 17 men recruited under false promises and forced into frontline combat, amid family protests and police investigations.
- South African authorities are negotiating with Russia to secure the return of 17 South African men who were allegedly deceived into joining the Russian military after being recruited in July.
- Allegations center on Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, who recruiters allegedly promised party bodyguard training or a personal development programme, a police report filed by Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube says, noting eight relatives were among those taken; Zuma-Sambudla denies the allegations and has resigned as a member of parliament.
- Evidence includes SOS videos where men say `The problems started when they were moved from Russia to Ukraine, and they asked them: 'Guys- where are we going now because we are here for training?'` and describe signing Russian contracts without translators, as viewed by Sky News.
- Families have staged protests calling for the men's return, with at least 13 relatives and friends gathering outside Durban city hall, while the South African Police Service and the Hawks investigate and warn more arrests are possible.
- Russia's embassy in South Africa has not replied to requests for comment, and five suspects arrested at Oliver R Tambo airport appeared in Kempton Park magistrate's court, where they were granted bail.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Despite their call for help, they have still not found their country. Seventeen South Africans fighting for Moscow in Ukraine are still "trapped" in the Russian army, according to a spokesman for South African President Cyril Ramaphosa."The rescue process of these young men remains extremely delicate," he explained in remarks reported by The Guardian. "They are in a dangerous environment. Their lives are seriously threatened and we are continuin…
South Africans who found themselves in the ranks of the Russian army fighting in eastern Ukraine were deceived, their relatives claim. Recruiters allegedly told them they were only undergoing bodyguard training. They were persuaded to sign a contract in Russian, which they did not understand, by the daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma. The politician, who sympathizes with Moscow, has already resigned from her parliamentary mand…
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Russia is systematically recruiting citizens from African countries to participate in its war against Ukraine, presenting these efforts as opportunities for employment or education. This was reported by Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 17. Every article pushes back against disinformation. Your support keeps our team in the field. DONATE NOW He stressed that the recent revelations about Russia’s recrui…
The contract was in Russian, but none of them spoke the language. The daughter of the former South African president was also involved in the recruitment.
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