South African Defence Union Raises Alarm Over Citizens Being Recruited for Foreign Wars: Diplomatic and Legal Risks Highlighted
South Africans are increasingly being drawn into foreign conflicts as mercenaries, a trend that has sparked deep concerns from the South African Defence Union about the legal and diplomatic fallout for the country. SADU’s national secretary, Pikkie Greef, warned that such involvement not only breaks local laws but also puts SA’s international standing at risk, potentially straining ties with other nations. His comments come ahead of a court appearance for five locals accused of planning to join Russia’s military, underscoring how economic hardships like low pay in the defence force are pushing skilled individuals abroad.
This issue hits home as reports emerge of 17 South Africans trapped in Ukraine’s war zone, duped by fake job offers that landed them in combat roles. With the Presidency stepping in to probe their recruitment, it highlights the dangers of unregulated private military work. As SA grapples with these cases, calls grow for stricter enforcement and better opportunities at home to keep talent from seeking risky paths overseas. Here’s a closer look at the union’s worries, recent incidents, the legal rules, and what it means for the nation.
SADU’s Warning: Legal Breaches and Diplomatic Dangers
Greef stressed the serious nature of joining foreign fights without approval, which falls under the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act. “What the offence is, is if you partake in combat activities or in war, or you assist in a logistical capacity or finance armed conflict and offering to do so is an offence. And recruiting someone to do so is an offence. They are quite serious charges, and the act provides that you can be fined or imprisoned,” he explained.
He noted that low wages in the South African National Defence Force are driving experienced soldiers to look for better pay abroad, often in private security or mercenary roles. Greef also pointed out the process for legal involvement: “There is a procedure in that is the Act where you go to a committee, which deals with the export of weapons, et cetera, but they are also empowered by the act to provide a person, through a process and consideration, with a referral to the minister whether she should allow the person to exempt him from the act or not.”
Recent links to wars in Gaza, Ukraine, and Russia show how widespread the problem is, with Greef urging awareness of the risks. He added that while some might get mitigation if they never make it to the battlefield, the act’s penalties – fines or jail – aim to deter such actions that could harm SA’s neutral stance and relations.
Recent Arrests at OR Tambo: Five Face Court Over Russia Links
The concerns peaked with the arrest of five men at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport last week, suspected of heading to Russia to join its military. The Hawks nabbed them for allegedly breaching the Foreign Military Assistance Act, which bans SA citizens from offering or providing military help abroad without government okay.
Four were caught first, with a fifth arrested soon after. They are set to appear in Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Monday. Greef noted, “I think what would probably be mitigation in their case is that they never made it there. At worst, they will probably be found guilty of offering assistance by signing contracts.”
A South African woman is said to have helped recruit and arrange travel for the group. This case ties into broader probes, with the Presidency ordering a look into how locals end up in foreign fights.
The 17 Trapped in Ukraine: Duped by Job Promises
Adding to the alarm, 17 South Africans – 16 from KwaZulu-Natal and one from Eastern Cape – are stuck in Ukraine’s Donbas region after being lured with fake security job offers that turned out to be mercenary roles in the Russia-Ukraine war. The Presidency got distress calls from the men, aged 20 to 39, prompting an urgent probe into their recruitment.
The Hawks are investigating, with three people accused of tricking them. Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, has been linked to the case and quit as an MP amid the claims. The men, now in a war zone, face life-threatening dangers, with families pleading for their safe return.
This highlights how economic desperation pushes people into risky spots. Low pay and few jobs at home make overseas “opportunities” tempting, but they often lead to traps like this.
The Foreign Military Assistance Act: Rules, Penalties, and Exemptions
At the heart of these cases is the 1998 Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act, which bans SA citizens, companies, or residents from giving military help abroad without approval. This covers fighting, training, logistics, or recruiting for foreign forces or groups.
Penalties are stiff: fines up to R1 million or jail for up to 15 years per offence. The act aims to keep SA neutral and avoid diplomatic messes from citizens in foreign wars.
For exemptions, you apply to a committee under the National Conventional Arms Control Committee. They review and recommend to the minister if it is okay, like for humanitarian or approved security work. But approvals are rare, especially for combat roles.
Recent changes in 2005 widened the act to cover more activities, making it harder to slip through loopholes. Greef’s call for awareness stresses following this path to avoid legal pitfalls.
Why It Happens: Low Pay in SANDF and Economic Pressures
Greef pinned part of the blame on poor pay in the SANDF, which pushes skilled soldiers to seek better deals abroad. Many ex-members join private security in places like Iraq or Ukraine, where wages can top R100,000 a month vs SA’s lower scales.
This brain drain hurts the military, with over 3,000 members lost in recent years to private firms. Economic woes, with unemployment at 31.9%, make foreign gigs tempting, but the act’s rules aim to stop SA from getting dragged into conflicts.
Diplomatic Risks: SA’s Neutrality at Stake
Greef warned that citizens fighting abroad creates “serious diplomatic risks,” like straining ties with nations on the other side. SA’s neutral stance in conflicts like Russia-Ukraine could suffer if locals join one side, leading to sanctions or bad press.
The Presidency’s probe into the 17 in Ukraine shows this concern, with efforts to bring them home and hold recruiters accountable. Similar cases in Gaza and other spots add to the worry, potentially harming SA’s image as a peace broker in Africa.
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