The South African government has announced an investigation into how 17 of its citizens became involved in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, after the men reportedly sent urgent appeals for help to return home. According to a statement released by the Presidency on Thursday, the men—aged between 20 and 39—were allegedly recruited under the guise of lucrative employment opportunities, only to find themselves stranded in Ukraine’s embattled Donbas region. Officials say efforts are already underway to secure their safe return.

Jocomms Correspondent reports that President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered a full inquiry into the recruitment process and the individuals or organizations behind the scheme. “President Ramaphosa has directed that the relevant departments investigate the circumstances that led to the involvement of these young men in what appear to be mercenary activities,” the Presidency said. Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya told reporters that it remains unclear which side the men were fighting for, adding, “We don’t know yet, hence the investigation.”

Much of the Donbas region remains under Russian military control, and several developing nations have previously accused Moscow of targeting foreign nationals with deceptive military contracts. South Africa, which maintains a policy of non-alignment on the Russia-Ukraine war, has condemned the exploitation of its citizens in any form of foreign conflict. As Pretoria works to bring the stranded men home, one critical question persists—how did young South Africans end up caught in one of the world’s most dangerous war zones? Visit www.jocomms.com for more news.