Pretoria: President Cyril Ramaphosa has initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the recruitment of 17 South African men into suspected mercenary activities in the Donbas region of Ukraine. This comes amid reports that these individuals were lured under the guise of lucrative employment contracts.

According to South African Government News Agency, a statement released by the Presidency on Thursday morning revealed that distress calls have been received from the group, aged between 20 and 39 years, requesting help to return home. The group comprises 16 men from KwaZulu-Natal and one from the Eastern Cape, who have found themselves trapped in the conflict-ridden area.

South Africa’s Foreign Military Assistance Act of 1998 clearly prohibits its citizens and entities from providing military assistance to foreign governments or participating in foreign armies without authorization. In light of these regulations, President Ramaphosa has ordered a thorough investigation into how these young men were recruited into what appear to be mercenary activities.

The South African government is currently working through diplomatic channels to facilitate the safe return of these men. Furthermore, President Ramaphosa and the government have expressed their condemnation of the exploitation of vulnerable young individuals by those collaborating with foreign military entities.