How fake job offers drew South Africans into Russia’s war

International relations expert has warned that African citizens are being lured into foreign conflicts under the false promise of employment. An international relations expert has warned that African citizens are being lured into foreign conflicts under the false promise of employment, as South Africa grapples with the deaths oftwo nationals who were recruited to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war. The Department of International Relations and Cooperation said the two South Africans were not linked to a separate group of 17 men allegedly recruited via the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, but were part of another scheme.

International relations analyst Dr Gideon Chitanga said it was “pretty obvious” that, after four years of conflict, both Russia and Ukraine were stretching recruitment efforts beyond their borders. “Most of the individuals who become recruited and find themselves in the battlefield are primarily drawn in because they are looking for greener pastures, jobs or employment promised to them – not necessarily because they intend to join the military,” Chitanga said. He added that informal or illegal networks across several African countries were deeply involved in recruiting vulnerable individuals. The Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, said thetwo deceasedwere not part of the group of 17.