JOHANNESBURG: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday for assisting in the return of 17 South Africans who were allegedly recruited under false pretences to fight in Ukraine.
Ramaphosa said four of the men had already returned home, while 11 were en route. Two remain in Russia, one receiving medical treatment and another undergoing administrative processing.
The group had reportedly believed they were travelling to Russia for security training but later found themselves deployed near the front lines in Ukraine’s Donbas region.
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Investigations are under way into possible human trafficking and violations of South African laws prohibiting citizens from serving in foreign armed forces without government authorisation.
Ramaphosa reiterated South Africa’s support for a negotiated resolution to the conflict.