Families of South African men trapped in Ukraine say the recruits' identities have been altered, complicating efforts to locate them. The men were lured to Russia with promises of security training but allegedly forced into the Russian military. Relatives are urging government intervention amid ongoing hardships.
A group of South African men, recruited under the pretext of security training in Russia, now find themselves trapped in Ukraine with altered identities, according to their families. The victims claim they were coerced into joining Russian forces fighting against Ukraine, and the individuals who brought them there appear to be erasing traces of their involvement.
Mlungisi Mncube, relative of one victim, confirmed to SABC News that the men have received new identity documents. 'Yes, we can confirm that they’ve been issued with new identity documents, but what is worrying is that some of their names have been changed and their dates of birth,' Mncube said. 'We don’t know what the reason for this is or whether it is part of the plan by those behind this whole thing to make it harder for the authorities to find them.'
This development has heightened fears for the men's safety, as Mncube noted his brother and two others have been sent to an active combat zone. The recruiters remain silent, and there is growing distrust among the group, with suspicions that men connected to high-profile individuals might receive preferential treatment.
Since departing South Africa, the men have repeatedly called for assistance from the government and society to return home safely. Two related recruitment cases are currently under investigation by authorities, but the situation continues to frustrate families who struggle to communicate or trace their loved ones.