DA charges Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla over South Africans lured into Russian warzone
Democratic Alliance lays charges against Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla for the alleged luring of South African men to Ukraine Democratic Alliance lays charges against Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla for alleged trafficking of South African men to Ukraine
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As tensions continue to escalate over the luring of South African men to fight on the frontlines in Ukraine , the Democratic Alliance (DA) has moved to lay criminal charges against uMkhonto we Sizwe Party MP, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, for her alleged involvement in recruiting merceneries into the Russian war effort . This development comes on the heels of evidence allegedly obtained through a Whatsapp group managed by Zuma-Sambudla.
According to the DA, the charges submitted under the Regulation of the Foreign Military Assistance Act 15 of 1998, are based on around 100 WhatsApp messages that the DA claims indicate coordination in luring at least 22 young men to Russia. In a statment, the DA says these offers were framed as opportunities for “personal development” and “security training”, with promises of potential Russian or Canadian citizenship.
Upon arriving in Russia, the young men faced a grim reality. Reports indicate that their passports and clothing were burnt, their phones confiscated, and communication with their families severed, directly contradicting the assurances given to them.
At present, of the 22 individuals who left South Africa, 19 remain trapped in Russia, including 17 South Africans, reportedly deployed in the perilous “red zone” of North Donetsk as part of Russian military operations.
According to the DA, the situation represents a fundamental contravention of South Africa's anti-mercenary legislation, raising questions about the role and awareness of government entities such as Defence Intelligence and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
While Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla has categorically denied any wrongdoing or intention to facilitate combat recruitment, stating that she too is a victim of the alleged scam, the situation continues to unfold.
Her sister, Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, lodged a criminal complaint against her this week, as well as Blessing Khoza, , accusing them of playing critical roles in this recruitment scheme.
This is a developing story...