Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla faces human trafficking charges in Ukraine-Russia conflict scandal
The DA has laid charges against Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla following allegations of human trafficking. The Hawks are to investigate her alleged recruitment of men for the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war. DA's Chris Hattingh (left) along with fellow MP Ryan Smith (right) laid the charges at Cape Town Central SAPS.
Image: Chevon Booysen
Criminal charges of human trafficking, contraventions of South Africa’s anti-mercenary legislation, and additional offences have officially been laid against uMkhonto weSizwe MP, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla.
This after the Hawks confirmed that they are investigating allegations that Zuma-Sambudla allegedly recruited a group of 17 men for the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
The allegations against Zuma-Sambudla were brought to light by one of her sisters, Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, who submitted an affidavit requesting a formal investigation.
Earlier on Thursday, DA’s spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans, Chris Hattingh, along with fellow MP, Ryan Smith, the DA spokesperson on International Relations and Cooperation, laid the criminal charges in terms of the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act at the Cape Town Central police station.
“This follows new evidence received by the DA, which includes approximately 100 WhatsApp messages from a group allegedly administered by Zuma-Sambudla.
“These messages show clear coordination in luring at least 22 men to Russia under the guise of ‘personal development’, ‘security training’, and even promises of Russian or Canadian citizenship.”
Hattingh said so far, they have no confirmation on whether the men are all still alive and has urged the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and defence intelligence to intervene.
“We do not have information on whether any of the men there have died or how many of them are alive. We have this deafening silence on the side of DIRCO. This is why we have also asked for a joint sitting of the Portfolio Committees on Defence, as well as DIRCO, so that we can get the roleplayers in and ask them the questions, and that they can explain to us what they have done and what they are doing at the moment.
“While Minister Angie Motshekga has now confirmed that the State Security Agency is liaising with the Russian government, DIRCO continues to offer no explanation for its absence from this crisis. Their silence can only be interpreted as tacit support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” said Hattingh.
Enquiries to DIRCO had not yet been answered.
This week, the SAPS confirmed that the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks, is currently probing a case against Zuma-Sambudla.
Hattingh said that laying the criminal charges is not being done lightly and added that information gathered on the men, once they arrived in Russia, is that their passports and clothing were burned, their phones were confiscated, and communication with families gradually cut off until it ceased entirely.
“We have overwhelming evidence in our possession that shows communications by the MP, and all of this plays a role in what should be part of the investigation. We must also remember that she is also currently in the High Court for treason (relating to her alleged role during the July 2021 unrest). These are very serious charges,” said Hattingh.
In her sworn statement, Zuma-Mncube accused her sister, along with collaborators Siphokazi Xuma and Blessing Khoza, of luring the young men to Russia under misleading pretences. She claims they were subsequently handed over to a Russian mercenary group to participate in the war.
The Party had not responded to an enquiry and instead indicated that it was opening two criminal cases against Mary de Haas for misrepresenting her academic qualifications and against Paul O’Sullivan for threats against Cedric Nkabinde, the chief of staff to the Minister of Police.