US EditionSouth Africa Seeks Return of 17 Men Allegedly Deceived Into Russian Military
South African officials engage Russia to repatriate 17 men recruited under false promises and forced into frontline combat, amid family protests and police investigations.
- South African authorities are negotiating with Russia to secure the return of 17 South African men who were allegedly deceived into joining the Russian military after being recruited in July.
- Allegations center on Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, who recruiters allegedly promised party bodyguard training or a personal development programme, a police report filed by Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube says, noting eight relatives were among those taken; Zuma-Sambudla denies the allegations and has resigned as a member of parliament.
- Evidence includes SOS videos where men say `The problems started when they were moved from Russia to Ukraine, and they asked them: 'Guys- where are we going now because we are here for training?'` and describe signing Russian contracts without translators, as viewed by Sky News.
- Families have staged protests calling for the men's return, with at least 13 relatives and friends gathering outside Durban city hall, while the South African Police Service and the Hawks investigate and warn more arrests are possible.
- Russia's embassy in South Africa has not replied to requests for comment, and five suspects arrested at Oliver R Tambo airport appeared in Kempton Park magistrate's court, where they were granted bail.
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The contract was in Russian, but none of them spoke the language. The daughter of the former South African president was also involved in the recruitment.
Sky News investigation into men who ended up on the Donbas front without military experience - Testimonies speak of deception and contracts in Russian
Journalists have found out in detail how this happened.
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