Pretoria – Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, has confirmed that the State Security Agency (SSA) is actively engaging with the Russian government to explore ways of assisting 17 South Africans reportedly trapped in Russia.
The men are said to have been lured under the false pretence of receiving private security training.
The situation has sparked concern among families, who have made urgent appeals to the South African government for the safe return of their loved ones.
WATCH | The families of 17 men trapped in Ukraine’s war-torn Donbas region have made a desperate appeal to the South African government, seeking the safe return of their loved ones. The men were allegedly lured to Russia on the promise of private security training. pic.twitter.com/lL9KbhXX77
— SABC News (@SABCNews) November 24, 2025
Many of the men are reportedly stranded in Russia and some in the Ukraine’s war-torn Donbas region, raising fears for their safety.
Speaking to SANDF officials during the fourth Vukuhlome exercise in Lohatla, Northern Cape on Wednesday, Motshekga emphasised that the government is fully aware of the matter and is treating it with sensitivity.
“We are very much aware. Our investigations are being led by the State Security Agency. We are engaging with the Russian government on this matter but it is still at a sensitive stage. I don’t wish to continue with the matter but we are engaging to see if we can assist,” SABC News quoted her as saying.
Families of the affected men continue to hope for a swift resolution.
Former president Jaob Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, said earlier this week that she was not behind the recruitment of the South Africans for alleged mercenary work in Russia but was instead the first victim of an elaborate scam.
In a sworn affidavit submitted to the Sandton Police Station, she rejected accusations made by her sister, Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, who claimed she and others tricked 17 men into joining Russian mercenary forces after being told they were signing up for bodyguard training.
#NDABANEWS: DUDUZILE ZUMA-SAMBUDLA’S AFFIDAVIT COUNTERS SISTER’S ALLEGATIONS
SANDTON – Duduzile Zuma Sambudla has submitted a sworn affidavit at the Sandton Police Station, providing a version of events that conflicts with the serious public accusations made by her sister,… pic.twitter.com/5NknVILAe5
— Thulani Ndaba (@tndaba) November 24, 2025
According to IOL, Zuma-Sambudla said she was misled by a man named Blessing Rhulani Khoza, who approached her via WhatsApp and presented what he described as a safe, legal civilian training programme in Russia.
“I would not, under any circumstances, knowingly expose my own family or any other person to harm,” the report quoted her as saying.
She added: “I was not a recruiter, agent, operator, or facilitator of any unlawful activity.”
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
