South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday expressed gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin for assisting in the repatriation of 17 South African citizens who were allegedly duped into joining the war in Ukraine under the guise of bodyguard training.
The Return of Trapped Citizens
Ramaphosa confirmed that:
- Four men have already returned home.
- Eleven others are expected to arrive soon.
- Two remain in Russia—one hospitalized in Moscow, the other undergoing administrative travel processing.
The group had sent distress calls to the South African government in November after finding themselves trapped in the Donbas region, a frontline area of intense fighting. Ramaphosa raised their plight directly with Putin earlier this month.
Investigations Underway
Authorities are investigating how the men were recruited, with allegations pointing to:
- Human trafficking
- Fraud
- Violations of South African law prohibiting citizens from fighting in foreign armies without authorization
Ramaphosa emphasized that the matter is being treated seriously, with accountability measures expected once investigations conclude.
Commitment to Peace
The president reiterated South Africa’s stance on the conflict, stressing the need for a peaceful resolution through negotiation. His announcement coincided with the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
In a separate address marking the day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared that Putin “has not achieved his goals” and vowed that Kyiv would pursue peace and justice without betraying the sacrifices made by Ukrainians.
Broader Implications
The incident highlights the risks of human trafficking and deceptive recruitment schemes amid global conflicts, while also underscoring South Africa’s delicate diplomatic balancing act between maintaining relations with Russia and supporting international calls for peace.
