South Africa’s government has revealed that calls from 17 of its citizens who joined mercenary forces in the Russia-Ukraine conflict have been made, adding that these men are trapped in Ukraine’s war-torn Donbas region.
The men, between the ages of 20 and 39 years, are trapped in the region struck with violence, and are hoping their government back home can aid their rescue.
A government spokesperson said President Cyril Ramaphosa has “ordered an investigation into what led to the recruitment of these young men into these seemingly mercenary activities.”
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As to what side of the conflict the South Africans were fighting, the statement did not address.
In South Africa, working as a mercenary or fighting on behalf of another government is illegal, unless it is authorized by the government.
South Africa’s government says the men were lured to join the mercenary forces under the pretext of lucrative contracts.
Also, Spokesman Vincent Magwenya said South Africa’s government is working through “diplomatic channels” to facilitate their return.
Magwenya added that 16 of the men were from KwaZulu-Natal, with one originating from the Eastern Cape.
“President Ramaphosa and the South African government strongly condemn the exploitation of young vulnerable people by individuals working with foreign military entities,” he added.
Analysts say there’s an unemployment rate of more than 30% in South Africa, and it is even higher among young people, making them vulnerable for recruitment.
According to the BBC, there is some evidence that suggests the Kremlin is working to expand its sphere of influence in Africa.
Africa Corps, a Russian mercenary group controlled by the Russian Ministry of Defence, has effectively replaced the rival military group Wagner in West Africa, following the death of its leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, in a plane crash.
Back in August, South Africa’s government sent a warning to young women not to fall prey to social media recruitment opportunities promoting jobs abroad, especially in Russia.
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A BBC investigation discovered young women had been taken to the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in the Republic of Tatarstan in Russia to work in a drone factory, and more than 1,000 women have been recruited from across Africa and South Asia to work in Alabuga’s weapons factories.
