DA lay charges against lawmaker over alleged Russia-bound human trafficking

Democratic Alliance (DA) on Thursday filed criminal charges against Member of Parliament(MP) and daughter of former President Jacob Zuma, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, accusing her of recruiting and trafficking 22 young men to fight alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, in violation of anti-mercenary laws.

The charges, laid under the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act, follow an investigation into WhatsApp messages allegedly showing Zuma-Sambudla’s coordination of a scheme promising victims “security training” or foreign citizenship. Families of 17 South Africans among the group said recruits had passports and phones confiscated upon arrival in Russia, with 19 now reportedly deployed to combat zones in North Donetsk.

DA Spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans Chris Hattingh called the case a “grave breach of national and international law,” urging accountability amid claims that South African defense and foreign ministries ignored warnings. The Presidency and former leader Jacob Zuma were allegedly aware of the operation, according to the DA.

uMkhonto we Sizwe Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndlhela declined to confirm or deny the allegations, stating the matter involved Zuma-Sambudla personally rather than the party.

The DA cited evidence including 100 WhatsApp messages and family testimonies, with one mother saying her son believed he would gain Canadian citizenship but was instead stranded in a warzone. Three men were returned to South Africa due to family ties to Nelson Mandela, whose clan name is Madiba.

South Africa prohibits mercenary activities, but the DA accused authorities of failing to act despite mounting evidence. The case has been referred to police for further investigation.