Government thanks Putin for release of South Africans lured into Russian contracts

International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola is meeting on Thursday with the families of South African men who were allegedly lured to Russia under false pretences last year to fight in the war against Ukraine.

Fifteen of the men returned to Durban on Wednesday following an appeal from President Cyril Ramaphosa to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni confirmed that Cabinet has formally conveyed its thanks to Putin for facilitating their return, despite indications that the men were recruited by a private company rather than the Russian government.

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Speaking at a post-Cabinet briefing, Ntshavheni welcomed the return of the group after all 17 men involved were successfully released from their contracts.

Current Status of the Group:

15 Men: Safely returned to Durban.

1 Man: Currently hospitalised in Russia.

1 Man: Finalising preparations for his return home.

LEGAL AND FINANCIAL COMPLICATIONS

The recruitment of these individuals highlights a significant legal breach, as it is against South African law for its nationals to participate in foreign wars.

According to Ntshavheni, the men were trapped by binding legal agreements that required financial settlements for their release.

"These young men were made to sign contracts. And that bound them into a time period, and for those contracts to be signed, there were payments made. The parties that contracted them declined to release them without payment, and it’s for that reason that President Ramaphosa went to President Putin."

ONGOING INVESTIGATIONS

Authorities are now turning their attention to the logistics of the recruitment scheme.

In December, five arrests were made in connection with the case.

"What we know for sure is that there were payments that were made," Ntshavheni stated. "So, the investigators will have to establish who received the money and for what purpose, and what they did with that money."

CONFLICT IN GAZA

When questioned regarding South Africans allegedly fighting in Israel’s war against Palestinians in Gaza, Ntshavheni noted that the government could not currently release the specific number of individuals involved in that conflict.