Lamola: Those involved in Russia-Ukraine recruitment scam must face full might of the law
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, says the law must take its course in the case of South African men who were lured into the Russia-Ukraine war.
Seventeen men joined the frontline allegedly under false pretences last year, 15 of whom have returned home, while two others are still in Moscow.
Two other South Africans, who were part of another recruitment scam, have died.
Lamola says those who recruited the men must also be held accountable:
“We also call on all South Africans when, as and when they are recruited outside the country for whatever work or anything, to verify with our missions in any country in the world, to verify just the authenticity and the legitimacy of any working scheme that they go to.”
The first group of 17 men were allegedly sent to Russia for security guard training by the Umkhonto we Sizwe Party, which is headed by former president Jacob Zuma.
One of Zuma's daughters, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, resigned from parliament after claims she was involved in recruiting the men.
South African law prohibits its citizens from serving in a foreign country's armed forces without government authorisation.
Ukraine said on Wednesday that more than 1,780 citizens from 36 African countries had been identified among Russia's ranks, and that some of them had been captured.
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