Trapped in war zone: 17 South African men duped into Ukraine mercenary scam

Cape Town — The Presidency has confirmed that 17 South African men are trapped in Ukraine’s war-torn Donbas region after being lured under false pretences to join mercenary forces involved in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the men, aged between 20 and 39, have appealed to the South African government for help to return home.

“The government of South Africa has received distress calls for assistance to return home from seventeen South African men who are trapped in the war-torn Donbas, Ukraine,” Magwenya said in a statement on Thursday. “Sixteen of them come from KwaZulu-Natal and one from the Eastern Cape.”

According to the Presidency, the men were “lured to join mercenary forces involved in the Ukraine-Russia war under the pretext of lucrative employment contracts.”

*TO ALL MEDIA/NEWS EDITORS*

*THURSDAY 06 November 2025*

*SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT RECEIVES*
*DISTRESS CALL FROM CITIZENS TRAPPED IN RUSSIA-UKRAINE CONFLICT*

The government of South Africa has received distress calls for assistance to return home from seventeen (17) South…

— African (@ali_naka) November 6, 2025

The government emphasised that the alleged recruitment of South African citizens to fight in foreign conflicts violates the Foreign Military Assistance Act of 1998, which prohibits citizens and entities from offering or providing military assistance to foreign governments or participating in their armies without state authorisation.

In response, President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the recruitment and exploitation of the men.

“President Ramaphosa has directed an immediate investigation into how these young men were recruited into these seemingly mercenary activities,” said Magwenya. “The South African government is working through diplomatic channels to secure their safe return.”

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Seventeen South African men, aged between 20 and 39, have sent distress calls to the government for help in returning home from the war-torn Donbas region in Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/RjTyIsIxFQ

— SABC News (@SABCNews) November 6, 2025

The Presidency also condemned the actions of individuals or groups who take advantage of vulnerable citizens seeking employment opportunities abroad.

“President Ramaphosa and the South African government strongly condemn the exploitation of young, vulnerable people by individuals working with foreign military entities,” Magwenya added.

The Presidency said further details will be communicated once diplomatic engagements progress.