Daughter of Former South African President Files Complaint Alleging Sister Recruited Men for Russia Ukraine Conflict

A dispute within the family of former South African president Jacob Zuma has escalated into a criminal complaint after one of his daughters accused another of recruiting South African men to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war. Nkosazana Zuma Mncube has told police that her sister, Duduzile Zuma Sambudla, played a central role in deceiving a group of men into joining Russian mercenary forces.

In her sworn statement, Zuma Mncube alleges that Zuma Sambudla, who is a member of parliament for the Mkhonto Wesizwe party, worked with two other individuals to lure seventeen men with promises of training and employment. According to the complaint, the men believed they were travelling to Russia to train as bodyguards for the MK party, which Jacob Zuma now leads. Instead, they were allegedly handed over to mercenary groups operating in the conflict zone.

South African police have confirmed they are investigating the allegations. Zuma Sambudla, who is forty three, has not responded to requests for comment. The government had already acknowledged earlier this month that seventeen South Africans had contacted authorities seeking assistance after finding themselves trapped in active conflict. Officials said the men, aged between twenty and thirty nine, had been misled into accepting contracts that promised high pay.

Analysts say South Africa’s high unemployment rate plays a major role in these recruitment schemes. With joblessness above thirty per cent and even higher among young people, many are vulnerable to offers of overseas work that appear legitimised through political or organisational links.

Zuma Mncube said she felt a moral duty to bring the allegations to police attention. Her complaint follows a report by international business outlet Bloomberg, which also cited claims that men had been recruited from South Africa and neighbouring Botswana for Russia linked mercenary operations. That report mirrored several details contained in her affidavit.

The allegations arrive at a complicated time for Zuma Sambudla, who is already facing separate legal proceedings. She is on trial over terrorism related charges tied to comments she made on social media during the widespread unrest that broke out in South Africa in July 2021. Those protests, which included looting, arson and clashes with security forces, resulted in more than three hundred deaths. Prosecutors argue that her online posts contributed to inflaming tensions, while she insists the charges are politically motivated.

Jacob Zuma himself has had a long and controversial relationship with the law. He was removed from office amid allegations of corruption and was later jailed for contempt of court after refusing to participate in an inquiry into misconduct during his presidency. His political comeback through the MK party saw the movement finish third in last year’s national elections, significantly reshaping South Africa’s political landscape.

The police investigation into the recruitment allegations is continuing, and authorities say they will assess the evidence before determining whether charges will be brought.