Duduzile Zuma Sambudla faces criminal charges over alleged recruitment of South Africans to fight in Ukraine

A criminal case has been opened against former President Jacob Zuma’s controversial daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, by her eldest sister, Nkosazana Zuma-Ncube. Zuma-Ncube opened a case at the Sandton Police Station on Saturday evening.

She brought charges against three individuals: her sister, Siphokazi Xuma, and Blessing Khoza, alleging that they played key roles in luring South African men to Russia under false pretences, before handing them over to a mercenary outfit operating in Ukraine.

When contacted for comment, Zuma-Ncube referred the publication to her sister Thuthukile Zuma. “Please call my sister Thuthu,” she replied in a text message.

Her sister, Thuthukile Zuma, confirmed that her sibling was the author of the letter, adding that she had also opened a criminal case against the three individuals in question on Saturday. “The contents of the letter are true; she is the author of the letter,” Thuthukile said.

National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed the case opened by Zuma-Ncube.

“The SAPS can confirm that Ms Nkosazana Bonganini Zuma-Ncube has deposed an affidavit at the Sandton police station for police to investigate Ms Duduzile Zuma, Ms Siphokazi Xuma, and Mr Blessing Khoza.

"This is in relation to seventeen South African men who are allegedly trapped in the Ukraine/Russian War. Ms Zuma-Ncube claims the men were lured to Russia under false pretences and handed to a Russian mercenary group to fight in the Ukrainian war without their knowledge or consent.

"The SAPS confirms that an enquiry docket has been registered since the charges are still to be determined through a thorough investigation,” Mathe said.

A close family friend of the Zumas, known to the Daily News, told the publication that some family members affected by the incident were instructed not to speak publicly about the matter.

“They were told not to say a word about this. They are fearing for their lives; that’s why Sticks (Nkosazana) took it upon herself to open a case, in order to stand up for her family members,” the source disclosed.

According to reports, Zuma-Sambudla was said to be the one behind the events that led to 17 South African men being sent to Ukraine's Donbas region to fight alongside Russian troops.

Zuma-Sambudla did not respond to requests for comment sent to her by the publication. Umkhonto WeSizwe spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndlhela declined to comment and urged the publication to seek comments from the person who authored the letter.

“I can’t comment on an unsigned letter on social media. Please rather get a comment from the person concerned. Thanks,” Ndlhela said.

Zuma-Sambudla is currently standing trial for incitement to public violence in the Durban High Court.

The State has accused her of acts of incitement during the 2021 riots that erupted after her father's arrest, which resulted in the deaths of more than 350 people and caused around R20 billion in damage.

Reports further suggested that Zuma-Sambudla allegedly deceived the group of South Africans a few months ago by telling them that they were travelling to Russia for "security-guard training courses" and would return home to work for Umkhonto weSizwe (MK), her father's political party. She also claimed she had completed the training herself.

Zuma-Ncube is the eldest daughter of former Jacob Zuma and prominent politician and former Cabinet Minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. Zuma-Ncube stated that eight of the 17 men were her own relatives and insisted they never consented to being deployed to a war zone.

She claimed their recruitment contravened the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act, and common law fraud. The men reportedly signed documents they did not fully understand before being moved to eastern Ukraine.

Earlier this month, IOL reported that the South African government had received distress calls from 17 South African men who are trapped in the war-torn Donbas region of Ukraine after being lured to join mercenary forces under the pretext of lucrative employment contracts.

The men, aged between 20 and 39, have appealed for assistance to return home. Sixteen of them are from KwaZulu-Natal, and one is from the Eastern Cape.

At the time, Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya stated that the men were drawn into the Russia-Ukraine conflict after being misled by promises of well-paying jobs.

South African government officials confirmed receiving distress calls from the stranded men, who said they travelled abroad after being promised job or training opportunities.

DAILY NEWS