Inside claims that Zuma’s daughter sent South Africans to Russia’s war
A South African politician and daughter of former President Jacob Zuma, Duduzile Zuma‑Sambudla, has resigned from the National Assembly after police investigations into claims that she lured South African men to fight for Russia in Ukraine.
According to an affidavit submitted by her half-sister, the men were promised security-training jobs in Russia. Instead, they were allegedly handed over to a mercenary group and deployed to fight in Ukraine’s war-torn Donbas region.
Among the 17 men reportedly recruited, eight were family members. Authorities say the men, aged between 20 and 39, left South Africa under false pretences, believing they would get “bodyguard training” or other employment. In reality, distress calls received by South African authorities indicate they found themselves on the frontlines.
South Africa’s elite crime-fighting unit, The Hawks, has opened a criminal investigation into the allegations. The charges under consideration include human trafficking, fraud, and violations of the foreign-military-assistance law.
Her half-sister formally filed the complaint, saying she felt a “moral obligation” to act, especially after learning some of the men were close relatives.
On November 28, 2025, MK Party, led by Jacob Zuma, announced that Zuma-Sambudla had stepped down from her parliamentary seat, effective immediately. Party officials described the resignation as voluntary and not an admission of guilt. The party also pledged to support the families of the affected men and assist in efforts to repatriate them safely.
If proven, the case marks one of the most serious mercenary-recruitment scandals involving foreign nationals and raises new concerns about the exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
