South Africa is talking with Russia. This is about 17 South African people. They are in Ukraine. They are part of the war there. People say they were tricked. They were told to join the Russian army. Two men from Botswana are also in trouble.
The South African government got messages. This was on November 6th. The messages showed the problem was big. They found a plan. Men were lied to. A report on November 17th named Duduzile Zuma-Mncube. She is the daughter of a former president. She is accused of making fake job offers. But Ms. Zuma-Mncube says she was also tricked.
The men were possibly asked to join in July. They were told they would be guards. Or they would do training. Instead, they were sent to fight. This is not what they were promised. It is a bad problem.
The president's helper, Vincent Magwenya, said this is "very sensitive." He said the South Africans are in "great danger." The government talks most with Russia. They think Russia forced the men to join.
Families of the men are worried. On December 5th, 13 family members met. They want their loved ones home. The families are very anxious.
This shows how people can be tricked. The South African government wants to help its people. They are working with Russia. They want to bring the people back. This is hard work.