"South Africa Seeks Return of 17 Men 'Tricked' into Ukraine Conflict"

South Africa Negotiates Return of 17 Men Tricked into Fighting in Ukraine The South African government is engaged in delicate negotiations with Russia to repatriate 17 men who were allegedly deceived into fighting in Ukraine by Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of former President Jacob Zuma. According to The Guardian, the men were initially told they would be training as bodyguards or attending a personal development course, but instead found themselves on the frontlines of the war. The South African government received distress calls from the men, who claimed they had been tricked into fighting in Ukraine. The government is working to secure the safe return of its citizens from a conflict zone, highlighting the risks of exploitation and the complexities of international relations. "We are doing everything in our power to ensure the safe return of our citizens," said a government spokesperson, according to a statement released by the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation. Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla has been accused of recruiting the men, saying they would be bodyguards for her father's uMkhonto weSizwe party or attending a training course. However, the men claim they were deceived and ended up fighting in Ukraine. The incident has sparked outrage in South Africa, with many calling for Zuma-Sambudla's arrest and prosecution. The negotiations between South Africa and Russia are ongoing, with both countries working to find a solution that would allow the men to return home safely. According to The Guardian, the South African government is seeking the assistance of the International Committee of the Red Cross to facilitate the repatriation process. The ICRC has a long history of working in conflict zones, providing humanitarian aid and assistance to those affected by war. The incident highlights the risks of exploitation and the complexities of international relations. "This is a classic case of exploitation, where individuals are lured into conflict zones with false promises," said a spokesperson for the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation. "We are working closely with our international partners to prevent such incidents in the future." The South African government has not released any information on the current status of the negotiations or the expected timeline for the repatriation of the 17 men. However, officials have assured the public that they are doing everything in their power to ensure the safe return of their citizens. In a statement, the South African government said: "We are committed to protecting the rights and interests of our citizens, wherever they may be in the world. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure their safe return and to prevent such incidents in the future." The incident has sparked widespread outrage in South Africa, with many calling for greater action to prevent similar incidents in the future.