South African President Cyril Ramaphosa held urgent talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to secure the return of South African nationals lured into fighting for Russian forces in Ukraine, as the country simultaneously pursues criminal charges against those accused of recruiting mercenaries in violation of national law.
The telephonic discussion between the two leaders focused on repatriating 17 South African men currently trapped in Ukraine’s war-torn Donbas region. According to the Presidency, both leaders have pledged their support to facilitate the return of these individuals.
“President Ramaphosa and President Putin pledged their support to the process of returning South Africans fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine,” the president’s office said in a statement issued Tuesday. “In this regard, teams from both sides will continue their engagements towards the finalisation of this process.”
Distress calls from the front lines
The South African government revealed in November 2025 that it had received distress calls from the 17 men, who claimed they were deceived into joining mercenary forces and now find themselves in the epicentre of the brutal conflict. The men reportedly travelled to Russia under false pretenses, only to be thrust into active combat zones.
South Africa’s predicament forms part of a disturbing continental trend. Ukraine’s foreign minister disclosed in November that more than 1 400 citizens from 36 African countries had been identified among Russian military ranks.
An AFP investigation revealed the mechanisms behind this recruitment drive, speaking to four Kenyan nationals recently returned from Russia who detailed how they were duped by a Nairobi recruitment agency. The men said they were lured with false promises of well-paying civilian jobs, only to find themselves conscripted into military service.
Kenyan authorities reported in December that approximately 200 of their citizens had been sent to fight in Ukraine, with only 23 successfully repatriated. However, returned recruits told AFP this figure significantly underestimates the true scale of the problem.
ALSO READ: Kenyans describe deception into Russian military service in Ukraine
Criminal prosecutions underway in South Africa
While diplomatic efforts continue to bring trapped South Africans home, the country’s justice system is moving forward with prosecutions against alleged recruiters. Five suspects appeared before the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday on charges of contravening the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act 15 of 1998.
Patricia Mantula (39), Thulani Mazibuko (24), Siphamandla Chabalala (23), and Sfiso Mabena (21) face allegations of illegal military recruitment. Their case has been postponed to 29 April to allow the State to obtain Financial Intelligence Centre reports and seek mutual legal assistance from Russia.
The accused were intercepted at OR Tambo International Airport following a tip-off, prevented from boarding a flight to Russia via the United Arab Emirates. Mantula allegedly served as the main recruiter, facilitating travel arrangements and recruitment for her co-accused.
ALSO READ: DPCI launches investigation into 17 South Africans reportedly trapped in Ukraine-Russia conflict
High-profile suspect linked to recruitment network
In a separate development that has made news headlines, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, is among several individuals who’s name has been linked to the recruiting of South African men to join Russian mercenary forces in the Ukraine war.
Pretoria issued stern warnings to citizens last year not to fall victim to recruitment scams after numerous social media influencers promoted campaigns promising young men and women lucrative employment in Russia-based programmes that have since been accused of facilitating human trafficking and abuse.
The government has emphasised that participation in foreign military conflicts without official authorisation violates South African law and carries serious criminal penalties.
ALSO READ: South African men deceived into fighting for Russia in Ukraine war, ambassador warns
