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Former president Jacob Zuma’s daughter, Nkosazana Zuma-Ncube, has filed an affidavit at Sandton police station seeking criminal charges against her half-sister, MK Party MP Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla (pictured).
Luba Lesolle/Gallo Images
- Former president Jacob Zuma’s daughter, Nkosazana Zuma-Ncube, has filed an affidavit at Sandton police station seeking criminal charges against her half-sister, MK Party MP Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, for allegedly recruiting 18 South African men under false pretences.
- The men were reportedly told they would receive bodyguard training in Russia but were instead forced to sign contracts they did not understand and sent to fight for Russian mercenary forces on Ukraine’s frontlines.
- The Hawks’ Crimes Against the State unit will be investigating the case, while International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola confirmed diplomatic efforts were under way to bring the unwilling soldiers home.
Former president Jacob Zuma’s daughter, Nkosazana Bonganini Zuma-Mncube, wants her half-sister, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, to be held criminally liable for allegedly recruiting 18 South African men who are now trapped in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said on Sunday that Zuma-Ncube filed an affidavit at the Sandton police station requesting a formal investigation into her half-sister’s alleged involvement.
It is alleged that MK Party MP Zuma-Sambudla was one of the people who lured the men to Russia under false pretences that they were sent for training as bodyguards.
The men were given military training and allegedly forced to sign contracts in Russian, which they did not understand, before being sent to the frontlines of the war in Ukraine.
Zuma-Mncube claimed the men were deceived and lured to Russia under false pretences, then handed over to a Russian mercenary group to fight in the Ukrainian war without their knowledge or informed consent.
“These men were lured to Russia under false pretences and handed to a Russian mercenary group to fight in the Ukraine war without their knowledge or consent.”
Zuma-Ncube said:
“Among these men, who are requesting the South African government for assistance, are eight of my family members
She added she was driven by “moral obligation” when she decided to open a criminal case at the Sandton police station on Saturday.
Zuma-Mncube said she believed her sister had contravened the provisions of the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance, and the Common Law Act of Fraud.
“I urge the South African government to expedite all diplomatic efforts to secure the immediate and safe return of our citizens. Furthermore, I call on all South Africans to be vigilant and not fall prey to individuals offering too-good-to-be-true opportunities abroad, especially those involving travel to conflict zones,” she stated.
Mathe said the docket had been handed over to the Hawks’ Crimes Against the State unit for further investigation.
READ | ‘No child’s play’: South Africans describe life 10km from Ukraine frontline
Speaking to SABC News on Sunday afternoon, International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola said efforts were under way to bring the unwilling soldiers back to the country.
“It is painful, we really sympathise with the families of these South Africans. We wish to send them a message of strength. We will do all our best to assist the situation,” Lamola added.
Attempts to get comment from Zuma-Sambudla were not successful. Her comments will be added once received.
