The daughter of Jacob Zuma, a former president of South Africa, has stepped down from her position as a Member of Parliament (MP) following accusations that she misled 17 individuals into becoming mercenaries for Russia in Ukraine.
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, who joined the parliament as part of the main opposition group uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) last year, stated in a sworn statement that she believed the men were traveling to Russia for legitimate training.
MK has indicated that her resignation is voluntary, as she intends to concentrate on facilitating the return of those currently caught in the conflict-ridden Donbas area of Ukraine.
A family member of one of the individuals has revealed that they are seeking justice and his safe return home.
A family member of one of the individuals has revealed that they are seeking justice and his safe return home.
Describing their dire situation, a 40-year-old relative shared, “What we see in films, we are experiencing in reality,” conveying the terrifying conditions faced in Ukraine.
For confidentiality, the media is not disclosing his identity; he is referred to as Sipho, while his brother, who remains in South Africa working to assist in the return efforts, is called Xolani.
Xolani expressed his brother’s fear of the future, especially at night when the threat of violence is omnipresent, declaring that Zuma-Sambudla’s resignation holds little significance for their family.
He accused her of attempting to salvage her father’s political party’s reputation, stating, “Families demand accountability and the return of those deceived into fighting for Russia.”
In several voice messages shared with the media, Sipho claimed he was recruited by two individuals, one being Zuma-Sambudla herself.
He remarked, “They even provided us with flight tickets to reach [Russia],” indicating the extent of the alleged deception.
Zuma-Sambudla has adamantly denied any intent to mislead individuals, expressing that she is “deeply shocked,” and asserting that she herself fell victim to manipulation.
Xolani recounted that his brother departed South Africa on July 8, under the impression that he was to receive training as a bodyguard for MK.
The party has distanced itself from the unfolding issue.
The party’s chairperson, Nkosinathi Nhleko, stated that the national officials support Zuma-Sambudla’s resignation and her endeavors to safely return these young South Africans to their families.
The party’s chairperson, Nkosinathi Nhleko, stated that the national officials support Zuma-Sambudla’s resignation and her endeavors to safely return these young South Africans to their families.
Established in 2023, MK derives its name from the former military branch of the African National Congress (ANC), which fought apartheid.
Former President Zuma was a long-time member of the ANC before establishing MK after parting ways with his successor, Cyril Ramaphosa, to participate in the previous parliamentary elections.
A sister of another South African individual trapped in Donbas revealed that her brother was lured for training in “counter-intelligence” and as a bodyguard for MK, an opportunity he accepted due to unemployment.
He was unaware he would end up in combat under Russian command.
She described the conditions stating, “They are treated like slaves, ordered around, and threatened if they fail to comply.”
Xolani added that upon arrival in Russia, the group was presented with contracts to sign, which were unfortunately written in Russian, a language they did not comprehend.
Subsequently, the group sought assistance from Zuma-Sambudla and another alleged recruiter, for whom he provided a name, after arriving in Russia.
They became convinced to sign the contracts because they trusted Zuma-Sambudla and the alleged recruiter.
In a voice message to his family, Sipho indicated that he and others were taken to Ukraine in early August, where they were split up, leading him to be situated in Donetsk, Donbas.
He communicated, “We are located close to the front line, approximately 10 kilometers away.”
A video shared from a WhatsApp group among some of the men highlighted their anxiety regarding their situation in the combat zone.
In the group chat, one individual lamented, “We were told we were going to a safe location, yet we found ourselves deeper in danger. Upon our arrival, there were three drone strikes.”
Another member expressed, “If anything happens, guys… until we speak again.”
At one point, a contact was added to the group chat under the name “Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla,” attempting to reassure the group and urging them to “hang in there, we are doing all we can.”
After attempting to contact this number, there was no response; messages were also sent to a profile with an image of Zuma-Sambudla.
Following accusations from her half-sister, Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, claiming that Duduzile lured South Africans to join the conflict, a sworn statement has been filed with law enforcement.
Recently, South Africa’s elite police unit, the Hawks, announced that both women have reported their cases to the authorities.
While not providing further details, they stated that “both matters are being jointly investigated to establish if any criminal activities, including possible human trafficking, illegal recruitment, exploitation, or fraud, have occurred.”
The media has reviewed an unsigned copy of Zuma-Sambudla’s statement.
“I was never a recruiter, agent, or facilitator of any unlawful activities,” she asserted.
“I was never a recruiter, agent, or facilitator of any unlawful activities,” she asserted.
A declaration from Zuma-Mncube, which has been analyzed, alleged that her half-sister, alongside two named men, lured 17 South Africans to Russia “under false pretenses” and were “handed over to a Russian mercenary group to engage in the Ukraine conflict without their knowledge or consent.”
Zuma-Mncube stated that eight of her family members are among those requesting aid from the South African government.
In her statement, Zuma-Sambudla noted that she had similarly received non-combat training in Russia, arranged by an individual she did not recognize until being contacted.
When approached about recruiting more participants for what she believed to be a similar program, she shared that information with others, including family members, innocently.
“Under no circumstances would I knowingly endanger my family or any individual,” she emphasized in her statement.
Zuma-Sambudla expressed that the revelation of individuals being deceived into joining the conflict caused her immense shock and distress.
“I, too, have been a victim of deceit, misrepresentation, and manipulation,” she addressed in her statement.
“I, too, have been a victim of deceit, misrepresentation, and manipulation,” she addressed in her statement.
Earlier this month, the South African government confirmed it received distress signals from 17 citizens trapped in Donbas after being lured to join mercenary forces with promises of lucrative contracts.
According to one voice note examined, 24 South Africans were initially misled into going to Ukraine, but three were sent back to Russia due to health issues.
Another message revealed that one South African forced to stay in Ukraine had suffered injuries, possibly from shrapnel, and their whereabouts remain unknown.
Reports indicate that some individuals were also recruited from nearby Botswana.
The South African government has maintained silence on the situation since its last statement, which promised to engage through “diplomatic channels” to bring their citizens back safely, though no actions have yet been taken.
As Xolani’s brother remains trapped in a war zone, he shared his family’s anguish.
“We may go five days without hearing from him as he is engaged in military activities. The family is anxious about his safety,” he disclosed.
“We may go five days without hearing from him as he is engaged in military activities. The family is anxious about his safety,” he disclosed.
In the meantime, Sipho repeatedly emphasizes to his family in voice notes, “It’s tough here… we all just want to return home.”
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