The daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma has resigned as an MP following allegations that she tricked 17 men to fight for Russia as mercenaries in Ukraine. Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, who became a member of parliament for the main opposition party uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) last year, has said in an affidavit that she thought the men were going to Russia for lawful training. MK says it was her decision to resign as she wants to focus her efforts on ensuring the return of those trapped in Ukraine's war-torn Donbas region.
The brother of one of the men, who has been sending desperate voice notes about his situation, has told the BBC the family wants accountability and his safe return. 'Things you see in the movies, we're seeing it live,' the 40-year-old said in one of the messages shared with the BBC by his family about the horrors they were being subjected to in Ukraine. The BBC is withholding his identity for his safety, and has called him Sipho and his brother - who is in South Africa, trying to help secure his return - Xolani.
'He's living in fear because he doesn't know what the future holds or what will happen to him when night approaches because they are always in a war zone,' says Xolani, adding that the resignation of Zuma-Sambudla, whose father now leads MK, means nothing to the family. 'She's just trying to save the reputation of her father's political party… The families want accountability and the return of the men who were tricked into fighting for Russia.'
The BBC has heard voice notes Sipho sent in which he says he was recruited by two people - one of them being Zuma-Sambudla. 'They [the alleged recruiters] even bought us flight tickets to get here [Russia],' Sipho says in one of the voice notes. Zuma-Sambudla has denied intentionally misleading anyone and says she is 'profoundly shocked', adding that she herself is a victim of deception and manipulation.
The party has distanced itself from the controversy. MK chairperson Nkosinathi Nhleko stated they support her efforts to ensure that the young South Africans are safe. Allegations have emerged that the men were recruited under false pretenses for unlawful activities, signaling a serious investigation that could involve issues of human trafficking or exploitation. The situation remains dire as families of the trapped individuals continue to seek clarity and assistance from their government.
The brother of one of the men, who has been sending desperate voice notes about his situation, has told the BBC the family wants accountability and his safe return. 'Things you see in the movies, we're seeing it live,' the 40-year-old said in one of the messages shared with the BBC by his family about the horrors they were being subjected to in Ukraine. The BBC is withholding his identity for his safety, and has called him Sipho and his brother - who is in South Africa, trying to help secure his return - Xolani.
'He's living in fear because he doesn't know what the future holds or what will happen to him when night approaches because they are always in a war zone,' says Xolani, adding that the resignation of Zuma-Sambudla, whose father now leads MK, means nothing to the family. 'She's just trying to save the reputation of her father's political party… The families want accountability and the return of the men who were tricked into fighting for Russia.'
The BBC has heard voice notes Sipho sent in which he says he was recruited by two people - one of them being Zuma-Sambudla. 'They [the alleged recruiters] even bought us flight tickets to get here [Russia],' Sipho says in one of the voice notes. Zuma-Sambudla has denied intentionally misleading anyone and says she is 'profoundly shocked', adding that she herself is a victim of deception and manipulation.
The party has distanced itself from the controversy. MK chairperson Nkosinathi Nhleko stated they support her efforts to ensure that the young South Africans are safe. Allegations have emerged that the men were recruited under false pretenses for unlawful activities, signaling a serious investigation that could involve issues of human trafficking or exploitation. The situation remains dire as families of the trapped individuals continue to seek clarity and assistance from their government.
