‘This is a Dudu matter’: MK Party distances itself from SA men lured to Russia war zone

The MK Party is distancing itself entirely from the scandal involving its MP, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and the alleged luring of South African men into the Russia-Ukraine conflict, saying the allegations are not theirs to answer but hers

Speaking to journalists on Thursday on the sidelines of the MK Party’s court battle with President Cyril Ramaphosa in Pretoria, spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndlhela, said the party had no factual basis to confirm or deny the claims currently circulating.

“At this point, we cannot confirm or deny anything because we don’t know the facts of what transpired,” he said.

“I’ve seen the letter on social media, but I haven’t seen the actual letter myself, so I cannot confirm whether it’s true or not. Let’s allow the investigation to unfold.”

The scandal emerged after at least 17 South African men claimed they were recruited, allegedly by Zuma-Sambudla and others, for what they believed was bodyguard training linked to the MKP.

The men are from KwaZulu-Natal and from the Eastern Cape.

Instead, the men say they were flown to Russia, where they were pressured into signing military contracts written entirely in Russian before being moved toward the front lines of the war in eastern Ukraine.

Families say the men are now trapped under dangerous conditions in the conflict-ridden Donbas region, where they have been deployed in active combat zones.

Distressed and fearing for their lives, the recruits have sent urgent pleas to their families and the South African government for rescue.

WhatsApp messages circulating publicly show Zuma-Sambudla allegedly attempting to calm the men by suggesting they might be assigned non-combat duties such as “cooking” or “gun cleaning”.

She also claimed to have undergone similar training herself.

The Presidency reportedly confirmed receiving distress calls and has ordered an investigation. Under the Foreign Military Assistance Act, South Africans may not provide military services abroad without state authorisation.

But Ndlhela insisted he has no comment and no involvement.

“This is not an MK matter, it’s a Dudu matter,” Ndlhela stressed.

He said “I’m not Dudu’s spokesperson. I’m the MK Party’s spokesperson. That’s important for people to understand.”

He added that the party would only respond formally if approached by law enforcement.“As it is, MKP is not involved. We need to allow the process and the law to take its course.”

Ndlhela described the situation as “very sensitive”, noting that families’ lives are at stake and confirming that the Hawks are investigating.

He also revealed that Zuma-Sambudla had opened her own case, and that diplomatic channels were now engaged.

“Officials are reviewing and looking into this matter,” he said.

He stated that they would only comment once the proper processes have unfolded.

kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za

IOL Politics