Former South African President Jacob Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, came under investigation by the police on Sunday (November 23) for allegedly defrauding 17 men into joining the Russian military to fight on the frontlines. These men are currently trapped in Russian-occupied territory.
Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe stated that Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla’s sister, Nkosazana Bonganini Zuma-Mncube, accused her sister and two other suspects in an affidavit of deceiving 17 men to travel to Russia for security training, only to hand them over to a Russian mercenary group and force them into combat.
The affidavit mentioned that 8 of the 17 men were relatives of the two sisters. It did not specify the identities of the other two suspects.
Mathe remarked that whether charges will be filed by the police is subject to a thorough investigation.
South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola stated during the G20 summit that the government is in negotiations with Russia and Ukraine to facilitate the return of the 17 men to South Africa.
Lamola said, “The police need to investigate, and whoever is involved in this must be arrested.” “It’s not an easy situation as they are on the frontlines of war, but we still hope for a breakthrough.”
In November, the South African government confirmed receiving distress calls from men aged 20 to 39, claiming they were stuck in the Donbas region of Ukraine. They stated that they had joined a mercenary force under the guise of a “high-paying job contract.”
According to the Associated Press, Russia has been accused of recruiting foreign men for combat under the pretext of employment, and enticing African women to work at unmanned drone factories in Russia through social media, instead of the promised jobs in industries like hospitality.
Under South African law, it is illegal for South African citizens or entities to provide military assistance to a foreign government or participate in a foreign government’s military without authorization.
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla is a member of the South Africa MK Party in parliament. She is currently facing trial for allegedly inciting violence on social media during the 2021 South African unrest. Both she and the MK Party have not responded to media requests for comments.