South Africa is embroiled in a scandal after allegations emerged that Jacob Zuma's daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, tricked men into joining the Russian military in Ukraine under false pretences.
According to reports, 17 South African men were recruited by Zuma-Sambudla and two other women - Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube and Siphokazi Xuma - with promises of lucrative employment contracts for paramilitary training in Russia. The men were later handed over to Russian mercenary groups to fight on the frontlines of the war in Ukraine without their knowledge or consent.
It is claimed that Duduzile, who is an MP for her father's party, and Nkosazana, who has filed a police report, broke laws against human trafficking, providing assistance to foreign militaries, and fraud.
The men are now seeking help from the South African government after being trapped in Ukraine. One of them alleged that Zuma-Sambudla persuaded him to sign contracts in Russian without his understanding.
Meanwhile, Nkosazana has filed charges against Siphokazi Khoza, claiming she was duped into recruiting men for a legitimate training program.
The South African police are investigating the allegations and have confirmed receiving Nkosazana's statement. However, they claim that the investigation is still at an early stage.
Russia has faced criticism for enlisting foreign fighters in Ukraine with some reports suggesting they use coercion and deception to recruit people from across Africa and Asia. The Ukrainian military has previously released footage of captured fighters who claimed they had been deceived into joining Russian forces.
This incident highlights concerns about human trafficking, exploitation, and corruption in the recruitment process of mercenaries in Ukraine's ongoing conflict.
According to reports, 17 South African men were recruited by Zuma-Sambudla and two other women - Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube and Siphokazi Xuma - with promises of lucrative employment contracts for paramilitary training in Russia. The men were later handed over to Russian mercenary groups to fight on the frontlines of the war in Ukraine without their knowledge or consent.
It is claimed that Duduzile, who is an MP for her father's party, and Nkosazana, who has filed a police report, broke laws against human trafficking, providing assistance to foreign militaries, and fraud.
The men are now seeking help from the South African government after being trapped in Ukraine. One of them alleged that Zuma-Sambudla persuaded him to sign contracts in Russian without his understanding.
Meanwhile, Nkosazana has filed charges against Siphokazi Khoza, claiming she was duped into recruiting men for a legitimate training program.
The South African police are investigating the allegations and have confirmed receiving Nkosazana's statement. However, they claim that the investigation is still at an early stage.
Russia has faced criticism for enlisting foreign fighters in Ukraine with some reports suggesting they use coercion and deception to recruit people from across Africa and Asia. The Ukrainian military has previously released footage of captured fighters who claimed they had been deceived into joining Russian forces.
This incident highlights concerns about human trafficking, exploitation, and corruption in the recruitment process of mercenaries in Ukraine's ongoing conflict.
This is so messed up 
I'm still trying to wrap my head around how these men were tricked into fighting for Russia without even knowing what they were getting themselves into. It's not just about human trafficking, but also corruption and exploitation - it's like, the system fails us all 
The fact that Duduzile is an MP and was supposed to be part of the solution, not the problem, makes this case even more egregious 
I'm hoping the South African government takes action soon to help these men get out of Ukraine safely 
how could Duduzile do this to all those guys?! they're literally fighting for their lives on the frontlines without even knowing it. this is like something straight out of a movie 
and I'm seriously worried about those 17 men stuck in Ukraine with no idea what's going on. we need to get them out ASAP! 
how did they get away with it for so long? the south african government needs to step in ASAP and help these guys who got tricked into going to war 
can't believe russia is using people as puppets 
recruiting guys into the russian military without their knowledge? that's just crazy talk! 
that's human trafficking, people! 
and if they're found guilty, they should be held accountable for their actions.
let's hope the south african government can get to the bottom of this and bring those responsible to account. 
. I mean, how many times have we seen politicians get caught up in scandals and still manage to stay in the spotlight? 
And now these guys are stuck in Ukraine without any idea what they're fighting for... it's heartbreaking 
. I hope the police can get to the bottom of this and bring some justice to the victims... it's time someone held them accountable 
.
she should be in big trouble for this human trafficking scandal 
need to see some serious justice for this one 
anyway, it's not just Duduzile's bad luck, the whole system is messed up here - Russian merc groups luring guys in with promises of good pay and then shipping them off to fight in a war they have no idea about... meanwhile Nkosazana's all upset 'cause she got duped too 