KZN government intervenes to repatriate body of local man killed in Russia-Ukraine war

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Human Settlements is currently engaging with the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation following a formal request to repatriate the body of a South African man allegedly recruited to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Sibonile Ndwandwe, the wife of the deceased, 44-year-old Sihle Makhaye, reported that she was informed of her husband's death last month. However, she maintains that no specific cause of death has been communicated to the family.

The circumstances surrounding Makhaye’s involvement in the conflict remain shrouded in mystery. His wife claims he was highly secretive regarding his recruitment, and it is still unclear which organisation or individuals facilitated his travel to the front lines.

Facing significant financial barriers, Ndwandwe wrote to Provincial Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma, pleading for government intervention as the family cannot afford the costs associated with bringing his remains back to South African soil.

Department spokesperson Ndabezinhle Sibiya confirmed that the MEC is currently consulting on the legal and diplomatic requirements of the matter.

"He has also tasked the Head of the Human Settlements Department, Max Mbili, to lead a team from Human Settlements to do the profiling of the family," Sibiya stated. "The MEC will be visiting the family once all the logistics are finalised."

This incident follows a troubling trend of South Africans being drawn into the Eastern European conflict. Just last month, 11 South African men returned home after allegedly being lured to Russia under false pretences, only to find themselves expected to fight for Russian forces in Ukraine.