Cape Town – The South African government says investigations are continuing into allegations that about R14 million was paid to facilitate the travel of 17 South African men who were allegedly lured to fight in the Russia–Ukraine war without their full knowledge.
Speaking during a media briefing on Thursday, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said authorities are working to establish who received the money and for what purpose.
“As part of our responsibility and consular service, we need to engage with the families. They are the ones who reached out to us to ask for support, to ask for assistance, to return their young men, who they alleged were trafficked to Russia without any money,” said Ntshavheni.
“So, as part of that engagement, as part of that feedback, it’s important that you look back to those who requested your assistance to say, here we are, but there are the following things that have to happen.
“The following things that must happen are the continuation of the investigations into the allegation, including the allegation made by the family, a family member, that R14 million was paid to a certain person by the Wagner Group for their sons to be taken to Russia to go to fight in a war that is not theirs.
[WATCH] Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says allegations made by relatives of the SA men who returned from Russia that a family member [Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla] was allegedly paid R14 million must be investigated. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/5nuU5OUm6l
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) February 26, 2026
“And therefore, it’s important that the minister also engage, but there are investigations that are ongoing to establish the facts, as we’ve indicated, in terms of what has happened, what has transpired.”
The men, aged 20–39 and mainly from KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, were reportedly recruited under the promise of employment but were instead taken to participate in the war involving Russia and Ukraine.
Authorities said the recruitment arrangements were not linked to the Russian government but involved other parties, with contracts signed and payments allegedly made.
Families claimed around R14 million was paid, reportedly connected to the Wagner Group.
Ntshavheni said authorities are aware that payments were made, and investigators must now determine who received the funds, why the money was paid, and how it was ultimately used.
“The Cabinet cannot have a view on those, but the investigations are ongoing,” she said.
Most of the men have since returned home following diplomatic engagement between President Cyril Ramaphosa and President Vladimir Putin.
The case remains under investigation under South Africa’s Foreign Military Assistance Act of 1998, which restricts citizens from joining foreign armed forces without authorisation.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
