Johnson Progress

Nkosazana Bonganini Zuma-Mncube, the eldest daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, has laid a criminal case against her sister Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and two others, alleging human trafficking and fraud in relation to 17 South African men trapped in Ukraine.

“I have opened a criminal case at the Sandton Police Station against Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, Siphokazi Xuma, and Blessings Khoza for their key roles in this tragedy,” Zuma-Mncube said in a statement.

The 17 men, including eight of Zuma-Mncube’s family members, were allegedly lured to Russia under false pretenses and handed over to a Russian mercenary group to fight in the Ukraine war without their knowledge or consent.

Zuma-Mncube believes the trio contravened the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act, and the Common Law Act of Fraud.

“Having considered all the information available to me and the facts at my disposal, I believe these three individuals have contravened these laws,” she stated.

The South African government has launched a formal investigation into the matter, with President Cyril Ramaphosa ordering a probe into the circumstances surrounding the men’s recruitment.

“President Ramaphosa and the South African government strongly condemn the exploitation of young vulnerable people by individuals working with foreign military entities,” said Vincent Magwenya, the president’s spokesperson.

The men, mostly from KwaZulu-Natal, were promised security training but were instead forced to sign military contracts in Russian and deployed to the front lines in Ukraine.

Zuma-Mncube urged the government to expedite diplomatic efforts to secure their safe return, saying, “I urge the South African government to expedite all diplomatic efforts to secure the immediate and safe return of our citizens.”

Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, a member of Parliament for the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, has not publicly commented on the allegations.

However, she has previously expressed support for Russian President Vladimir Putin on social media.