Seventeen South African citizens are reportedly stranded in the war-torn Donbas region of eastern Ukraine after joining mercenary forces in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. According to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office, the men, aged between 20 and 39, have made distress calls to South African authorities, pleading for help to return home.
Presidential spokesman Vincent Magwenya confirmed that the government had received multiple appeals for assistance from the group. He said President Ramaphosa has ordered an investigation into how these young men were recruited into “seemingly mercenary activities.”
While the statement did not specify which side of the conflict the men were fighting for, it revealed that they had been lured under the pretext of lucrative job offers abroad. “The individuals were promised high-paying contracts that turned out to be misleading, leaving them stranded in a dangerous war zone,” Magwenya said.
The South African government reiterated that participating in foreign conflicts without official authorization is illegal under national law. The Prohibition of Mercenary Activities and Regulation of Certain Activities Act forbids citizens from fighting on behalf of other governments or private military groups unless explicitly approved by South Africa.
Of the 17 men, 16 are from KwaZulu-Natal, and one hails from the Eastern Cape. Magwenya added that diplomatic efforts are underway to ensure their safe repatriation. “The government is engaging relevant international partners through diplomatic channels to secure their return,” he said.
Analysts say the incident underscores the growing trend of foreign recruitment targeting vulnerable youth in developing countries, particularly through online platforms.
President Ramaphosa’s administration has urged South Africans to be cautious about overseas employment opportunities, especially those promising unusually high compensation, as many such offers are fronts for illegal or dangerous activities.
