Families desperate as 17 SA men remain stuck in Russian conflict

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A resignation from Parliament. Charges and counter charges filed. Denials and disappointment. And still, nothing right now can return 17 men to South Africa who were unknowingly deployed to the frontlines of the Russia/Ukraine war. We get the latest from the man who broke the MK Party and Russian military saga, Iavan Pijoos, in our latest edition of The Lead. Later, in our trending topic, the Boks have been thrown in a fairly easy pool for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Finally, Dr Christiaan Barnard made human heart transplant history on this day in 1967 at the end of the show. You can send our host, broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer, a voice note with your questions or thoughts on the show: 072 562 3179. To advertise in the show: thelead@24.com. Full editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube. The Lead is currently sponsored by 10X Investments.
Chapters
  • 00:01 Graeme's intro
  • 01:23 Crossing to Iavan Pijoos on MKP Russia saga
  • 16:33 AD: 10X Investments
  • 17:25 Crossing to Khanyiso Tshwaku on RWC 2027 pools
  • 23:58 AD: N24's The Weekender
  • 24:26 On This Day in SA History: Dr Christiaan Barnard
3 Dec 2025 English South Africa News · Society & Culture

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