Ramaphosa thanks Putin for helping South Africans return

The OR Tambo Airport. (Photo: Christel Cornelissen)

Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the return of South African men who were allegedly recruited locally to take part in the fighting between Russia and Ukraine.

According to Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson for the presidency, the South African government in collaboration with the Russian government succeeded in securing the return of the men, after 17 South Africans between the ages of 20 and 39 made emergency calls to come home.

Ramaphosa expressed his “sincere gratitude” to Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, who responded positively to his request to support the process of bringing the men home. Putin pledged his support during a telephone conversation with Ramaphosa on 10 February.

Four of the 17 men are already back in South Africa, while another 11 are expected to return home soon.

Two men still remain in Russia, one is being treated in a hospital in Moscow and the other’s arrangements to travel back are currently being finalised, says Magwenya.

The South African embassy in Moscow will “continually monitor the man who is still in hospital until he has fully recovered to be able to travel”.

Magwenya further confirms that the investigation into the circumstances that led to the recruitment of these young men for mercenary activities is still ongoing.