The South African government has launched an investigation into reports that some of its citizens have been recruited as mercenaries to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war, raising legal and diplomatic concerns under the country’s Foreign Military Assistance Act.
The announcement was made by Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor, who said the government had received credible intelligence suggesting that South Africans were being lured with financial incentives to join foreign combat forces. “We take these allegations very seriously and will not tolerate the illegal participation of our nationals in external armed conflicts,” Pandor told reporters in Pretoria, as cited by Reuters.
Under South African law, citizens are prohibited from engaging in combat for foreign states without government approval, a measure designed to prevent involvement in conflicts that could jeopardize the nation’s neutrality. The Department of Defence confirmed it is working with the South African Police Service (SAPS) and intelligence agencies to identify recruiters and participants involved.
According to BBC Africa, the probe follows reports that several former members of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) were approached by private military companies linked to the conflict. The Ukrainian embassy in Pretoria had earlier urged South Africa to take a stronger stance against individuals or groups aiding Russia’s military operations.
South Africa has maintained a non-aligned position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, calling for diplomacy and peace talks. However, the recruitment revelations could complicate Pretoria’s already delicate balancing act between Western partners and long-standing ties with Moscow, as highlighted by Al Jazeera.
Officials say the investigation’s findings will determine whether prosecutions or sanctions are warranted under the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act of 1998, which carries penalties of up to 15 years in prison for violators.
