Name: South Africans deceived into fighting
Uploaded: 2025-12-12T15:48:23.411Z
Duration: 2 min 25 s
Description: The families of several South Africans—allegedly deceived into joining the Russian military—are pleading for their safe return. They say their loved ones are stranded on the front lines in Ukraine. The appeal coincides with the recent arrest of more men who were heading for Moscow.

The families of several South Africans—allegedly deceived into joining the Russian military—are pleading for their safe return. They say their loved ones are stranded on the front lines in Ukraine. The appeal coincides with the recent arrest of more men who were heading for Moscow.

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Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

Four South African men have appeared in court, accused of attempting to travel to Moscow to join the Russian army. A prominent journalist is also charged with recruiting them, all under the Foreign Military Assistance Act, which bans South Africans from fighting for foreign militaries. 

The arrests follow the resignation of Duduzile Zuma Sambudla, daughter of former President Jacob Zuma, who is under investigation for allegedly trafficking men to fight for Russia in Ukraine, a claim she denies. Authorities say the two cases are not currently linked, but ongoing investigations may connect them. Families of those trapped in Ukraine have called for government intervention and warned others of similar recruitment schemes.

South Africans 'deceived' into fighting

Four South African men appear in court accused of trying to fly to Moscow to join the Russian army. The fifth in the dock, a prominent South African journalist, is alleged to have recruited them. They're charged with contravening the Foreign Military Assistance Act. It's a law making it illegal for South Africans to fight in conflicts for foreign armies. Their arrest comes a week after the daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma quit as a member of parliament. Duduzile Zuma Sambudla is under investigation for allegedly trafficking up to 20 men to fight for Russia in Ukraine, something she denies. Police say the two cases aren't linked for now. The case against Duduzile Zuma is a separate case, but we don't rule out the possibility that most probably as the investigation continues, these two cases might verge. Almost four years into its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia's military, which has sustained heavy casualties, is seeking recruits abroad to bolster its ranks. Videos like these call on South Africans between 18 and 60 to sign up by flying to Russia as fake tourists. This man's identity is hidden at his request over safety concerns. His family member is one of the 17 South Africans trapped in Ukraine after being told they were going to Russia for bodyguard training. He holds Zuma Sambudla and the MK party responsible. They are the ones who brought them there. She stepped down to protect the party, nothing else. I barely sleep at night thinking of my brother. Right now, it's been four days now without talking to him. He's appealing for government intervention to secure their return, while warning other South Africans of the danger of similar schemes. South Africa has two things in great number, high levels of poverty and large numbers of unemployed military-aged men. And the families of those now trapped on Ukraine's front lines say there's also no shortage of people willing to profit from sending naïve and desperate men to war. Mike Lapple, Al Jazeera, in Neshowe, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

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South Africans 'deceived' into fighting

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Ukraine Invasion