SA still probing R14m claim for SA men duped into Russian war

Investigations are ongoing into allegations that R14 million was paid for 17 South African men to fight for Russia without their knowledge, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said.

- Vhahangwele Nemakonde

The South African government received distress calls for assistance to return home from the 17, who were trapped in the war-torn Donbas, Ukraine, in November last year.

The men, aged 20 to 39, from KwaZulu-Natal with one from the Eastern Cape, were lured to join mercenary forces involved in the Ukraine-Russia war under the pretext of lucrative employment contracts. Most of them have returned to South Africa.

Under the Foreign Military Assistance Act of 1998, it is illegal for South African citizens or entities to offer or provide military assistance to foreign governments, or to participate in the armies of foreign governments, unless authorised by the South African government.

Ntshavheni said Minister of International Relations Ronald Lamola went to KwaZulu-Natal yesterday to meet the families of the returnees.

"As part of our responsibility and consular service, we need to engage with the families.