Ukraine‘s Ambassador Urges South Africans Not to Join russian Forces
Pretoria, South Africa – Ukraine’s ambassador to South Africa, Oleksandr Shcherba, has issued a stark warning to South African citizens against accepting recruitment offers to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. Shcherba urged South Africans “not to be deceived” and cautioned them against being drawn into what he described as a “barbaric, unfair and unjust war,” emphasizing, “This is not your war.”
The appeal follows reports of South Africans being recruited by Moscow, allegedly under the guise of lucrative employment contracts. Shcherba stated he has received desperate pleas from family members of men who were lured to the front lines.
South Africa’s government confirmed last week it had received “emergency calls” from South African men,aged 20 to 39,stranded in the Donbass region of Ukraine,requesting repatriation. The presidency indicated these men were “induced” to join mercenary troops. While the government did not initially specify which side the men were fighting for, both News24 and the Ukrainian government report they are fighting with Russian forces.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha revealed last week that at least 1,436 citizens from 36 African countries have been identified within the ranks of Russian troops.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has launched an examination into the alleged recruitment following a News24 report linking the effort to the MK party, founded by former President jacob Zuma - a known ally of Moscow. Ambassador Shcherba warned that any involvement of South African politicians would ”make the whole situation even more precarious.”
