By Peter Omopo
South African authorities have launched an investigation into allegations that Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former President Jacob Zuma, played a role in recruiting South African men to fight as mercenaries for Russia in the ongoing Ukraine war.
Police confirmed on Sunday that the allegations were detailed in an affidavit submitted by one of Zuma-Sambudla’s sisters, requesting a formal probe into her alleged involvement. Zuma-Sambudla, who currently serves as a Member of Parliament for her father’s MK (uMkhonto weSizwe) political party, is accused alongside two others of coordinating the recruitment of at least 17 South African nationals.
According to the affidavit and preliminary police findings, the men were allegedly deceived with promises of lucrative employment opportunities, only to later find themselves handed over to a Russian mercenary organisation operating in the war-torn Donbas region of Ukraine. The South African Presidency disclosed earlier this month that it had received an appeal to rescue the 17 men after they became “trapped” in Donbas under dubious circumstances.
Police said the case has now been transferred to a specialised unit responsible for investigating crimes against the state, which will determine the exact charges and scope of the inquiry.
Reports in South African media suggest that the recruitment may have been linked to the MK party, led by Jacob Zuma, who served as president from 2009 to 2018. The men were reportedly sent to Russia under the guise of receiving security training.
South African law prohibits citizens from enlisting in foreign armed forces without official government authorisation, raising potential legal consequences for both the alleged recruiters and the men involved.
The conflict in Ukraine, sparked by Russia’s 2022 invasion, has attracted mercenaries from around the world, including several African nations. The allegations against Zuma-Sambudla add a new layer of political tension and controversy to South Africa’s domestic landscape as investigations continue.
