August M
South African authorities are investigating the disappearance of a group of young men who left the country believing they were heading for military training abroad. Months later, their families say they have no clear information about their fate.
Questions are also being raised about who organized the trip and whether political connections played a role.
Disappearance abroad
According to Digi24.ro, citing a France24 investigation, around 22 men left South Africa on July 8, expecting to travel to Moscow for what they were told was “advanced military training.” None of them returned as planned.
One of them was 19-year-old Moses, whose father, Kopo Letsatsi Sello, said he last saw his son on June 30 and last spoke to him in late August. Since then, Sello has had no contact and does not know whether his son is alive.
South African police are trying to trace about 20 African men who were allegedly diverted from training and sent to fight on Russia’s side in the war in Ukraine, according to France24.
A father’s account
Speaking to French media at his farm in Botswana, Sello said his son and a cousin were the only two recruits from Botswana, joining a group mostly made up of South Africans. He said the men were invited to what was described as “personal development training,” including VIP protection and military intelligence instruction.
Although skeptical, Sello said his son was determined to go. Moses traveled to Russia around July 8 with a return ticket dated July 28, but “never returned.”
After weeks without news, Sello said his son called on August 28. “They were forced to go to the war zone, which they considered dangerous.” That was the last contact.
“I just want to get my son back,” Sello said.
Political links probed
South African authorities are also investigating allegations involving Duduzila Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former President Jacob Zuma, along with Blessing Khoza and Siphokazi Xuma.
The probe was launched after another of Zuma’s daughters filed a complaint accusing her half-sister of recruiting fighters for Russia.
Zuma-Sambudla resigned as a lawmaker from the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party and has denied wrongdoing. The party has also denied involvement.
In a separate case, five suspects have been arrested on similar recruitment charges, with their trial set to begin on February 10 in Gauteng.
Wagner questions
Sello said his suspicions deepened after hearing rumors of African men disappearing after going to Russia. During their last call, Moses told him they were wearing uniforms linked to units aligned with Wagner mercenaries.
France24 reported it obtained drone footage of two black men killed in combat wearing insignia associated with Wagner-linked structures.
Defense analyst Ricardo Teixeira said the equipment suggested they were foreign recruits rather than regular Russian soldiers.
An urgent appeal
France24 reviewed a September 19 letter from Jacob Zuma to Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, confirming that 18 South Africans had traveled for “advanced military training.” Zuma said they were instead placed on infantry contracts and called for their withdrawal from combat.
South African presidential spokesman Vincent Magwenya said on December 15 that there were no new developments. Ukraine’s ambassador to South Africa said Kyiv could do “practically nothing” to help repatriate the men.
Sources: Digi24.ro, France24
