Prominent South Africans ‘lured’ men to fight for Russia in Ukraine, says ambassador
Member of Parliament, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, who is accused by her sister of involvement in the recruitment of South Africans stranded in the Ukraine conflict.
Image: Doctor Ngcobo/ Independent Newspapers
Ukraine's Ambassador to South Africa, Olexander Scherba, says prominent South Africans were involved in luring a group of South Africans who are now fighting in Ukraine on behalf of Russia.
The Mercury reported on Monday that the South African Police Service has confirmed that the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, is investigating a case opened against Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla over allegations that she was involved in facilitating the recruitment of 17 South Africans who travelled to Russia.
The case was opened by former president Jacob Zuma’s eldest daughter, Nkosazana Bonganini Zuma-Mncube, against her sister Zuma-Sambudla, an uMkhonto weSizwe (MK party) Member of Parliament.
Zuma-Mncube laid charges against three individuals — her sister Zuma-Sambudla, 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.
IOL also reported that the 17 South Africans, mostly from KwaZulu-Natal, are said to be trapped in the conflict and are desperate to return home.
The matter is now being probed by the Hawks, and the docket has been handed over to the Crimes Against the State (CATS) component for further investigation.
Speaking to broadcaster Newzroom Afrika, Scherba said he verified the information and found that there were no South Africans fighting on his country’s side.
“These people were lured under the participation of some South African prominent people, against the law in South Africa, to fight in this war of aggression against Ukraine. It is highly regrettable, and I am in touch with one of the families. I wrote an email and said let us figure it out.
“I said it is highly regrettable for me as ambassador of Ukraine that your family members decided to fight in this war against my country, but I feel your pain, and let us try to figure it out and make sure that no such events will occur in the future."
Scherba said the South African family has not responded to him.
National SAPS spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe told the media: “I can confirm that Zuma-Mncube had presented herself to the Sandton police station, where she urged the state to investigate three individuals whom she accused of luring 17 South African men to Russia under false pretences. She made allegations that these men are trapped in Ukraine.
“I confirm that an enquiry docket has been registered, the matter has escalated to a provincial level, and I am now told by General Masemola that the matter will be handed over to the Hawks for further investigation.
“The Hawks will investigate the allegations. For now, we have determined the charges we are still investigating. As soon as we complete the preliminary investigation, we will know what charges we are investigating against these individuals," said Mathe.
The Mercury reached out to Zuma-Mncube, but she declined to comment and directed questions to her sister, Thuthu Zuma.
jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za
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