South African President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed that the government has successfully facilitated the return of citizens who were tricked into taking part in the war for Russia, as reported bloomberg On 24th February.
According to a statement from the President's Office, four people Returned The other 11 people, who went to South Africa last week, are expected to return soon. One person is currently hospitalized, and the other is preparing to travel.
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These people were recruited with the assistance of Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma. Families of those affected reported that the men were initially promised training as bodyguards, but were later forced to sign military contracts.
Fighting for or aiding a foreign military has been illegal under South African law since 1998, Bloomberg reports. Ramaphosa's office said an investigation into the recruitment process was ongoing. Zuma-Sambudla, who is under investigation by South African police, resigned from her position in Parliament as a member of the political party led by her father on November 28, 2025.
The President's Office said the investigation into the individuals involved in the recruitment is ongoing.
As part of Russia's recruitment efforts, the online gaming platform Discord was reportedly used attract Young South African men will join its military operation in Ukraine. Military contracts, Russian citizenship, and educational opportunities were promised as incentives in the recruitment process.
Two South African men, both aged in their 20s, left South Africa in July 2024 after connecting with a Discord user named “@dash” while playing the military simulation game Arma 3. A source familiar with the matter said the recruits met in Cape Town, visited the Russian Consulate and then traveled to Russia via the United Arab Emirates. Upon his arrival, he signed a one-year military service contract near St. Petersburg.
After several weeks of basic training, an individual was sent to Ukraine as an assistant grenade launcher operator. His family last heard from him in October and December 2025, having been informed by a friend that he had been murdered.
Earlier there was news that Russia is Expansion of Its media influence across Africa is spreading Kremlin-backed narratives to more than 40 countries and six different languages.
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