The South African government has received calls for help from 17 citizens trapped in Donbas, recruited as mercenaries. President Ramaphosa has ordered an investigation.

The South African government has received calls for help from 17 citizens who joined mercenary forces in the conflict in Ukraine. The men, aged between 20 and 39, are stranded in the Donbas region. President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered an investigation to understand how these young men were recruited, who were lured by lucrative offers. Fighting as a mercenary is illegal in South Africa, except in cases where it is authorized by the government.

The government is working through diplomatic channels to bring them home and condemns the exploitation of vulnerable youth. The unemployment rate in South Africa exceeds 30%, making young people more susceptible to recruitment. It is also suggested that the Kremlin is expanding its influence in Africa, recruiting citizens to fight in Ukraine. Previously, there have been warnings for young people regarding false recruitments on social media.