South African MP Duduzile Zuma Accused of Recruiting Men to Fight for Russia
JOHANNESBURG — Duduzile Zuma, a South African parliamentarian and daughter of former President Jacob Zuma, is facing allegations of recruiting young men from South Africa and Botswana to fight for Russia in its war against Ukraine.
The claims, stemming from a Bloomberg investigation, allege that Zuma arranged for approximately 20 men to travel to Russia in July. According to the report, the recruitment was carried out under the false pretense that the men would be receiving bodyguard training for her father’s political party, the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party.
Instead, upon arrival in Russia, the men were reportedly coerced into signing military contracts written in Russian, a language they did not understand. Families of the recruited individuals say their sons were subsequently sent to the front lines in Ukraine. Several of the men have reportedly disappeared from contact since August, leaving their families in a state of distress and uncertainty.
The allegations have prompted a response from the highest levels of government. President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for an investigation into how South African citizens were recruited to serve as mercenaries in the ongoing conflict.
“We need to understand how this happened and ensure that our citizens are not put in harm’s way in a foreign conflict,” a government spokesperson said, echoing the President’s concerns.
The accusations place a sharp spotlight on South Africa’s complex political and diplomatic ties, particularly its relationship with Russia, and raise serious questions about the alleged exploitation of citizens for foreign military purposes.
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