Deputy Minister of Women Steve Letsike Takes Action Against Influencers Promoting Russian Agency

• The Deputy Minister of Women, Steve Lestike, said the government has taken action against influencers promoting Russian employment opportunities
• This came after influencer Cyan Boujee received criticism for promoting a work-study opportunity in Russia, which was reportedly linked to a human-trafficking ring
• Letsike said that a list of influencers has been submitted to the South African Police Service for investigation

With 10 years’ experience, Tebogo Mokwena, a current affairs writer for Briefly News, provided insights into the criminal justice system, crime statistics, commissions of inquiry, and high-profile cases in South Africa at Daily Sun.

PRETORIA, GAUTENG — The Deputy Minister of Women, Children, and People living with disabilities, Steve Letsike, announced that the government is probing the trend of influencers promoting Russian work opportunities. This was after influencer Cyan Boujee was slammed for promoting the Russian Alabuga Start Programme.

Letsike said in an interview on 25 August 2025 that the government was concerned with the trend of influencers promoting work opportunities for women aged between 18 and 22. The Justice and Crime Prevention Cluster said on 24 August that Boujee and other influencers are under investigation for promoting Russian work opportunities.

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What did Letsike say?

Letseike said that the department has taken it up with the Department of International Relations and Cooperation to engage with the Russian government to verify the information and the sites. She also said that the government has called for caution against 18-22-year-olds being targeted for these job opportunities.

She said that targeting this group raises concerns about the possibility of exploitation. Letsike added that the South African Police Service (SAPS) received a list of influencers who have been implicated in the drive to recruit South African women into Russia.

Anele Mdoda called the agency

Meanwhile, radio and media personality Anele Mdoda and the Club on 947 team called the numbers linked to the programme. After various attempts, some of which ended in hung phone calls, one of them answered and said that the programme was legitimate and allows young people to travel to Russia, work, study, and get free housing for two years.

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What did South Africans say?

South Africans commenting on X were not convinced by Letsike.

`Ngwana Ngwato said:

"Influencers are her favourite."

Oriana said:

"Steve must be arrested, too."

KingTweetingKamalan said:

"She is reacting rather than proacting. They always allow illegal things to happen when they should be preventing these things."

Londsni Mkhumbuzi said:

"These guys are sleeping on the jon. They should've been proactive but always react after the damage is done."

Thato said:

"Deputy minister of trends."

EFF MP slams Letsike during Parliamentary sitting

In a related article, Briefly News reported that Economic Freedom Fighters Member of Parliament Shle Lonzi slammed Letsike in May 2025. Letsike appeared before the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities.

Letsike submitted a bid to summon podcaster MacG to appear before the Poetfolio Committee for his comments about media personality Minnie Dlamini. Lonzi slammed her and said he did not know who she was. The Committee rejected her bid.

Source: Briefly News