South Africa is talking with Russia. They want to bring home seventeen South African people. These people were reportedly made to join the Russian army. Then they were sent to fight in Ukraine. The South African government said these citizens were tricked. They were promised jobs like bodyguard training. Now, the government is trying to help them.
These seventeen South Africans and two from Botswana were asked to go to Russia in July. We only heard about their problem on November 6th. The South African government got help requests. A police report was made in late November. This report supports the claims that people were tricked. Relatives and friends protested on December 5th. They wanted their loved ones to come home safely.
The President's spokesperson called this a difficult job. Vincent Magwenya said, "The process to retrieve those young men remains very sensitive." He added, "They are in a dangerous environment." The government is talking to Russia and Ukraine. They want to get the men out of this situation. The main talks are with Russia. This is because they believe the men were forced into the Russian army.
Police are also looking into the claims of trickery. Families have complained to the police. They named Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla in their complaints. She is another daughter of the former president. She has also made a report. She says she was tricked by someone named Blessing Khoza. This situation is complex. It involves trickery and a dangerous war. The South African government will give this problem top attention. They know their citizens are in great danger.