DURBAN - International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola has taken a firm stance on the recruitment of South Africans into the Russian military.
He said has called for the law to take its course as scores now return back home.
He added that those allegedly involved in recruiting and facilitating their departure must also be held accountable.
At least 17 South African men, aged between 20 and 39, called the government seeking for assistance to return home.
To date 15 are back in the country but, two remain in Russia, with one of them in a hospital in Moscow.
"Almost all South Africans have now been released from the front line. What we are now dealing with is their return, and that as and when they arrive in South Africa, the law must take its course," he said.
Lamola said law enforcement authorities are on standby and ready to deal with all South Africans as they return.
He has cautioned citizens that as and when they are recruited outside the country for whatever work to verify the authenticity and the legitimacy of any working scheme they go to.
"Usually when it sounds too good to be true, it is usually not the real thing. So, we really want to warn South Africans that they really need to exercise great caution and care as and when they embark on this foreign services work in any other part of the world," he said.