Cyan Boujee and other SA influencers banned from TIkTok
South Africa’s influencer community has been thrown into turmoil following revelations that the Alabuga START Programme, marketed as a glamorous work-study opportunity in Russia, was in fact a front for human trafficking and war-related exploitation.
The programme, promoted through slick TikTok videos by popular local influencers, promised free flights, luxury housing, Russian language lessons and salaries starting at $700 (about R13 000).
Instead, young women found themselves in military factories working 12-hour shifts, their passports seized, and forced into assembling Iranian-designed Shahed drones used in Russia’s war with Ukraine.
TikTok has now moved to permanently suspend the accounts of four high-profile South Africans linked to the campaign: Cyan Boujee (Honour Zuma), Seemah Mango (Sima Mangolwane), Peachy Sprinkle (Siyamthanda Anita) and Zillewizzy (Lehlogonolo Katlego Chauke).
The decision followed widespread public backlash and complaints over their promotional posts.
“This is a huge learning curve,” Cyan said in a tearful apology, adding that she had not been paid and “wasn’t in it for the money.”
Seemah Mango admitted she ignored warning signs, telling followers: “I should have researched better.”
Despite their denials, industry insiders claim the influencers received payouts ranging between R50 000 and R150 000, raising serious ethical questions under the Advertising Regulatory Board’s code for social media campaigns.
Agencies involved in the campaign have since formed an alliance pledging transparency and accountability, with a list of 40 influencers named as having participated.
The Russian embassy in Pretoria has dismissed reports of exploitation as “unfounded,” but Interpol and South African authorities are probing allegations of trafficking and labour violations.
At least one young woman has already been rescued after reaching out to the South African embassy in Moscow.
Deputy Justice Minister Andries Nel and Dirco spokesperson Clayson Monyela have urged young people to be vigilant, warning against falling for flashy offers.
“If it looks too good to be true, it usually is,” they cautioned.
