Stranded South Africans in Ukraine highlight job crisis at home: FOSA

The Forum for South Africa (FOSA) says the plight of 17 South Africans stranded in the war-torn Donbas region of Ukraine highlights the country’s unemployment crisis and lack of economic opportunities.

The men, aged between 20 and 39, were allegedly lured into joining mercenary forces involved in the Russia-Ukraine war under the guise of lucrative job offers.

The group, made up of individuals from KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape, reached out to the South African government, pleading for assistance to return home.

FOSA leader, Tebogo Mashilompane, has called for a full investigation into how these citizens ended up in Ukraine, whether through recruitment scams, human trafficking, or illegal operations.

Mashilompane says the ordeal exposes the government’s continued failure to create jobs and restore hope among South Africa’s youth.

“FOSA also questions the failure of South Africa’s intelligence and border control systems. How can citizens travel to conflict zones without the government’s knowledge or intervention? This reflects a total collapse in state awareness and oversight.”

Meanwhile, the South African government says it is working through diplomatic channels to secure the return of the men following their plea for assistance.

President Cyril Ramaphosa, has also ordered an investigation into the circumstances that led to their recruitment.

“Under the Foreign Military Assistance Act of 1998, it is illegal for South African citizens and entities to offer or provide military assistance to foreign governments or participate in armies of foreign governments unless authorised by the South African government.