Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, is embroiled in a legal debacle. She’s charged, among other things, with allegedly enlisting men to fight in Ukraine’s new war. As a Member of Parliament for her father’s political party, the African National Congress’s Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), she faces grave accusations that include human trafficking and fraud.
The criminal complaint filed by Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, one of former President Jacob Zuma’s daughters, contained shocking allegations. She alleged that Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, Siphokazi Xuma and Blessing Khoza had manipulated 17 males into signing contracts that were in Russian and wherefore Russians are Polish men cannot understand Polish contracts. From their perspective, the men were looking forward to a professional training camp in Russia. Rather, they were at cross purposes and thus, in effect, handed over to a Russian mercenary group to die fighting their strategic objectives.
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla made an appearance in court recently. She wore a form-fitting black bodysuit and tall stiletto heels, projecting an air of cool confidence in spite of the heinous charges she’s accused of. Particularly given the political pedigree of the accused, the case has received extraordinary media attention.
It is now incumbent on the South African Police Service to take statements on Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla’s involvement in this illegal recruitment scheme. The probe continues, officials say it remains in the early stages.
“Investigation in this matter is still at an early stage, with the docket received only Sunday, so there is nothing much to report except that investigation is under way.” – Thandi Mbambo
Even recently, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, brazenly claimed that she was duped into her position in hiring these men. She later filed criminal charges against Blessing Khoza. She alleges that he defrauded her by making her think she was enrolling in an honest training program. Nonetheless, the conditions under which the men were recruited and later sent into harm’s way would make her accountability highly questionable.
The 17 men are now asking the South African government for assistance in getting home. Within their families, Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube has shared her profound sadness at what has become of them.
“These men were lured to Russia under false pretences and handed to a Russian mercenary group to fight in the Ukraine war without their knowledge or consent. Among these 17 men, who are requesting the South African government for assistance, are eight of my family members.” – Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla’s legal woes go much deeper than her latest misadventure. Today she is on trial for allegedly inciting violence through her posts on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). This is particularly poignant given the violent riots that broke out in South Africa in 2021 in response to her father’s imprisonment for contempt of court.
Should this case go to trial, the legal and political implications for Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla will be considerable. Her deeds and their consequences will always be under special, searching examination, as long as her family remains the first family of South Africa.