South African authorities have confirmed that at least two of the country’s citizens were killed fighting for Russia in the war in Ukraine, the country’s foreign minister said Thursday, marking the first official acknowledgment of such deaths tied to alleged recruitment schemes.
Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola told reporters that the two individuals died after being misled into traveling to Russia under false promises of employment or training, only to end up involved in the conflict. He did not disclose their identities or the specific circumstances of their deaths.
Lamola’s remarks came as he visited families of 11 South Africans who returned home earlier this week after being recruited last year in a scheme supposedly offering security training in Russia but ultimately placing them amid hostilities. Another group of four had been repatriated previously, and two men remain in Russia, one with serious injuries.
The announcement follows allegations that Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, was involved in recruiting some of the men. She has denied wrongdoing but resigned as a lawmaker in November amid the investigation.
Ukraine has reported that more than 1,700 Africans have been recruited to fight for Russian forces, many allegedly lured by false promises of work or training. Similar schemes have drawn recruits from several African countries, prompting concern from governments and advocacy groups about exploitation and misinformation.
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South African authorities are continuing diplomatic and legal efforts to address recruitment networks and ensure the safe return of citizens drawn into foreign conflicts.
