South Africa Opens Investigation Into Ex-President’s Daughter Over Ukraine Recruitment

South African authorities have opened a criminal investigation into Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, after allegations that she and two associates lured 17 men into Russia under false promises of security training, only for them to be handed over to mercenary units and forced onto the front lines in Ukraine. Eight of the men are reportedly family relatives, according to an affidavit filed by Zuma-Sambudla’s own sister.

Police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed Sunday that the case is active and charges will depend on the outcome of a thorough probe. The men, aged 20 to 39, were reportedly recruited with offers of lucrative contracts, but upon arrival in Russia were stripped of passports and compelled to fight in the Donbas region, where they remain trapped amid intense combat.

Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola, speaking on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg, stated that diplomatic channels with both Moscow and Kyiv have been activated to secure the men’s safe return. He described their location on the active battlefield as a major obstacle but expressed cautious optimism about breakthroughs, while insisting that anyone found guilty of illegal recruitment must face arrest.

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South African law strictly prohibits citizens from providing military assistance to foreign states or joining foreign armed forces without government authorization, making the alleged deception a serious offense. The scandal adds fresh controversy to Zuma-Sambudla, a sitting MK Party parliamentarian who is already standing trial for allegedly inciting the deadly 2021 riots through inflammatory social media posts.

Neither Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla nor the MK Party has issued a response to the allegations, while families of the trapped men continue to plead for urgent intervention. The case highlights growing concerns over foreign recruitment networks targeting vulnerable South Africans with false overseas job promises.

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