Pretoria – At least 17 South African men lured to join mercenary forces involved in the Ukraine-Russia war under the pretext of lucrative employment contracts have sent distress calls for assistance.
The government of South Africa, on Thursday, 6 November 2025, said it has received distress calls for assistance to return home from 17 South African men, between the ages of 20 and 39 years, who are trapped in the war-torn Donbas, Ukraine.
Sixteen of the trapped South Africans come from KwaZulu-Natal, and one is from the Eastern Cape.
Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to President Cyril Ramaphosa, said the men were lured to join mercenary forces involved in the Ukraine-Russia war under the pretext of lucrative employment contracts.
Under the Foreign Military Assistance Act of 1998, it is illegal for South African citizens and entities to offer or provide military assistance to foreign governments or participate in armies of foreign governments unless authorised by the South African government.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered an investigation into the circumstances that led to the recruitment of these young men into these seemingly mercenary activities,” Magwenya said in a statement made available to The Bulrushes.
“The South African government is working through diplomatic channels to secure the return of these young men following their calls for assistance to return home.
“President Ramaphosa and the South African government strongly condemn the exploitation of young, vulnerable people by individuals working with foreign military entities.’
