President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office announced on 24/2 that four of 17 South African men stranded in the Donbass region returned home last week, and 11 more are expected to follow. Two individuals remain in Russia.

"President Ramaphosa expressed deep gratitude to President Vladimir Putin, who responded positively to his appeal for assistance in repatriating these men," the South African President’s office stated. It added that an investigation into why these men were recruited as mercenaries is ongoing.

In November 2025, South Africa reported receiving distress calls from 17 male citizens trapped in the Donbass conflict zone, after being deceived into joining mercenary forces. South African law prohibits citizens from fighting for foreign armies without government authorization.

President Ramaphosa (left) and President Putin at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, 2024. Photo: AFP

President Ramaphosa (left) and President Putin at the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia, 2024. Photo: AFP

Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma and a member of the opposition MK party, along with two others, allegedly tricked these men into fighting for Russia. South African media reported that some of them are Zuma’s family members, who were promised security training.

Zuma-Sambudla and the MK party deny the allegations, asserting they were also deceived by an intermediary.

Both sides in the Russia-Ukraine conflict reportedly employ mercenaries, including individuals from Africa. Ukrainian officials stated late last year that they identified over 1,400 Africans within Russian forces, noting they originated from 36 different countries.

In an interview with AFP news agency, four Kenyan citizens recently returned from Russia reported being misled by a recruitment company in Nairobi. The company had promised them high-paying jobs upon arrival in Russia.

Pham Giang (According to AFP)