Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, has stepped down as a Member of Parliament following allegations that she played a role in convincing 17 South African men to travel to Russia, where they were later taken to Ukraine’s war zone.
Zuma-Sambudla, who represented the opposition party uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), submitted an affidavit insisting she believed the men were travelling for legitimate, non-combat training. MK leadership said her resignation was voluntary and intended to help her focus on efforts to bring the stranded men home.
Families of the affected men reject that explanation. One family member, speaking under anonymity for safety reasons, told the BBC that the men feel abandoned and terrified after finding themselves fighting in Donbas, one of the most dangerous regions in Ukraine. Voice notes shared by the families reveal the men describing constant fear, drone strikes and being pushed deeper into active conflict zones.
According to relatives, some of the recruits believed they were leaving South Africa for bodyguard or counter-intelligence training linked to MK. Many were unemployed and hopeful for new opportunities. Instead, they say they were misled into signing Russian-language contracts they could not read. Some claim Zuma-Sambudla and another alleged recruiter later travelled to Russia, which reassured the men and encouraged them to sign.
Zuma-Sambudla denies knowingly deceiving anyone, saying she too was misled. She claims a man she barely knew arranged her own non-combat training in Russia, and that she merely passed information along to acquaintances and relatives, believing the programme was legitimate. She says the revelation that people were sent to a war zone left her “shocked and distressed.”
Her half-sister, Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, filed a police report accusing her of helping recruit the men under false pretences, calling it an act that exposed even their own family members to grave danger. Both women have opened cases with South Africa’s elite police unit, the Hawks, which is now investigating possible offences including fraud, human trafficking and illegal recruitment.
Some of the stranded South Africans have sent desperate messages describing drone attacks, injuries and being forced into combat roles under Russian command, with little support and no way out. One voice note claims as many as 24 men had initially been recruited, with some sent back to Russia for medical reasons.
South Africa’s government says it is aware of the situation and is working through diplomatic channels, but families say no progress has been made. Many endure long periods without any communication, not knowing whether their sons or brothers are alive.
“We just want them home,” one brother said. “They’re scared every day, and we feel helpless.”