In a dramatic turn of events, Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, daughter of South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma, has filed a criminal complaint against her sister, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, accusing her of recruiting men to fight in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Zuma-Mncube alleges that her sister, a sitting Member of Parliament, along with two others, deceived 17 men from South Africa and Botswana into joining Russian mercenary forces under the guise of training as bodyguards for the Mkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party, founded by their father. South African authorities have confirmed they are investigating the matter, though Zuma-Sambudla has yet to respond to media inquiries. The government has previously acknowledged receiving distress calls from citizens who were allegedly lured into the conflict with promises of lucrative contracts. South Africa’s high unemployment rate, particularly among youth, has made individuals susceptible to such recruitment schemes. This accusation adds to Zuma-Sambudla’s ongoing legal troubles, as she is currently on trial for terrorism-related charges stemming from her social media activity during the 2021 protests that followed her father’s arrest. Zuma-Mncube claims her decision to report her sister was driven by a ‘moral obligation.’ The case highlights the complex interplay of family, politics, and international conflict in South Africa.
Daughter of South Africa’s ex-president accuses sister of Russia recruitment plot
