By Burnett Munthali
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former president Jacob Zuma and a Member of Parliament for the MK party, has filed a criminal complaint alleging that she was deceived in a recruitment scheme that resulted in at least seventeen South African men being stranded in Russia near the Ukraine conflict zone.
In her sworn affidavit, Duduzile insists she never knowingly recruited anyone for combat and maintains that she, too, was misled about the nature of the programme.
She claims a man identified as Blessing Khoza convinced her that the initiative was a lawful, non-combat training course with no links to mercenary operations.
Her statement comes just days after her sister, Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, accused her of recruiting the stranded men for what was purported to be paramilitary training.
According to Nkosazana, the training turned out to involve Russian mercenary forces, raising concerns about illicit foreign military involvement.
The allegations have triggered a criminal investigation led by the Hawks’ serious crime unit, which has confirmed that inquiries are still in their early stages.
Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Thandi Mbambo explained that the findings will eventually be submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions for further action.
The Presidency has also announced an inquiry to determine how the men ended up in a conflict zone and said it condemns the exploitation of young, vulnerable South Africans.
Authorities say the case aligns with a broader trend of deceptive recruitment schemes that increasingly target South Africans for activities linked to the Russia–Ukraine war.
Reports have also surfaced of South African women being approached by Russian companies for work believed to support the Kremlin’s military efforts.
Families of the stranded men are anxiously awaiting further updates as government officials attempt to use diplomatic channels to ensure their safe return.
The unfolding scandal has raised serious questions about foreign influence, domestic vulnerability, and the need for stronger safeguards against recruitment abuses.
