Four of the men arrived safely at O.R. Tambo International Airport on Wednesday, but others remain in active combat zones. The four are part of a larger group of 17 South Africans reportedly recruited under the guise of private security work, only to find themselves deployed to the front lines.

Lamola said this has complicated efforts to secure their return, as the men were not officially enlisted by the Russian military. “It was a challenging process. It remains a challenging one for the ones who are still in the front line because they are alleged to have been lured by a private security contractor to the Russian government,” Lamola said.

He explained that this indirect recruitment created diplomatic hurdles, as Russian authorities insisted the men were not part of their formal armed forces. “Because of that sensitivity and the difficulties, we had to escalate the matter to the president of the Russian Federation, and he has been very helpful in supporting our efforts to return the South Africans,” Lamola added.

SA’s diplomatic team has been working with families and international partners since the reports first surfaced. According to the department, some of the men contacted SA authorities from conflict zones, appealing for help after realising they had been misled.

Lamola emphasised that the government will continue engaging at the highest levels to secure the safe return of the remaining South Africans. He also reiterated earlier warnings from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation about the dangers of citizens joining foreign conflicts through private military recruiters.

For now, the focus remains on the men still trapped near frontline positions, with the department urging patience as negotiations continue. Lamola said the safety and well-being of the remaining South Africans remain the government’s top priority.

–SABC/ChannelAfrica–