South Africa Probes Zuma Daughter in Alleged Mercenary Deception

South African police have launched an investigation into allegations that Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, a member of parliament and daughter of former President Jacob Zuma, deceived 17 men into traveling to Russia in July, where they were allegedly forced into mercenary roles in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The men, from South Africa and Botswana, believed they were heading for non-combat bodyguard training linked to Zuma-Sambudla's uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, but ended up in Ukraine's Donbas region, prompting distress calls to the South African government in early November.

The complaint originated from Zuma-Sambudla's half-sister, Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, who filed an affidavit with the South African Police Service accusing Zuma-Sambudla and two associates of luring the men under false pretenses and handing them over to a Russian mercenary group without their consent. Police confirmed the case has been assigned to a special unit handling crimes against the state to determine potential charges. It is illegal under South African law for citizens to serve in foreign armed forces without government authorization.

In response, Zuma-Sambudla, 43, submitted her own sworn affidavit to police,...