Here's what we know about the daughter of South Africa’s former leader accused of recruiting men to fight for Russia.

Family tensions may rise for former South African President Jacob Zuma after his eldest daughter accused her half-sister of misleading 17 menhalf reportedly family membersinto joining Russian forces in Ukraine. This situation underscores the increasing presence of African recruits in Russias military, driven by manpower shortages and longstanding ties between Moscow and African National Congress veterans.

Zuma, who led the ANC, a party that evolved from a liberation movement advocating democratic rule in South Africa, resigned in 2018 following corruption scandals and was expelled from the party in 2024. During apartheid, he received military training in the Soviet Union.

Who is Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and what are the accusations?

Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, 43, is among Zumas nearly two dozen children. A vocal supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin, she frequently expressed admiration for him online. Recently, Zuma-Sambudla resigned from parliament, where she represented the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, after a criminal complaint from her older half-sister, Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube. The complaint followed a South African government investigation into how 17 citizens became trapped in the Donbas region of Ukraine after calling for help to return home.

Authorities stated the men were enticed to join mercenary forces in the Ukraine-Russia conflict under the pretense of lucrative employment contracts. Zuma-Mncube claims that Zuma-Sambudla and two others played a role in this situation. Zuma-Sambudla has not publicly addressed the allegations.

Under South African law, serving in a foreign military without approval is illegal. The Democratic Alliance, South Africas second-largest political party, filed charges against Zuma-Sambudla after consulting families of the trapped men. She also faces separate charges for incitement to terrorism and public violence, related to unrest after her fathers 2021 imprisonment. Zuma-Sambudla has pleaded not guilty.

Democratic Alliance lawmaker Chris Hattingh described how the men were misled, claiming they were promised security training and personal development. Once in Russia, their passports and phones were allegedly confiscated, leaving them isolated. Zuma-Sambudla stated she did not intend to recruit mercenaries and claimed she was misled by someone named Khoza who promised a legitimate paramilitary training program without combat.

According to Zuma-Sambudla, she participated in a month of training in Russia and then recommended 22 others, including relatives, to join. Of these, 17 South Africans are now reportedly in north Donetsk. She maintains she believed the program was legal and safe and said she would fully cooperate with authorities investigating possible human trafficking, illegal recruitment, or exploitation.

Russia has not responded to requests from South Africa regarding these nationals. Previously, Russian officials denied pressuring foreigners to join their military. Ukrainian officials claim over 1,400 African citizens are fighting for Russia, often in deadly frontline assaults. Western intelligence estimates Russia has suffered over 1 million casualties since February 2022, with around 1,000 soldiers killed or injured daily.

South Africas case parallels events in Kenya, where more than 200 nationals are reportedly involved in the conflict. Recruitment often occurs via social media, with misleading promises of high pay, quick visas, and healthcare. Experts note that once recruits arrive, they are detained, forced to sign contracts in Russian, and deployed with minimal training.

Analysis: Implications of Zuma Family Dispute on South African-Russian Military Ties

The recent accusations by Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube against her half-sister Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla highlight both domestic and international complexities. With 17 South African citizens reportedly misled into joining Russian forces in Ukraine, the situation underscores how informal recruitment channels exploit personal networks and historical ties between South African veterans and Russia.

Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla’s political history and support for Vladimir Putin intensify the controversy. Her resignation from parliament amid criminal complaints demonstrates the legal risks associated with facilitating foreign military enlistment. South African law clearly prohibits serving in a foreign military without approval, making these allegations particularly serious.

The broader context reveals a growing pattern: African nationals are increasingly recruited into Russia’s military, often under false pretenses. Western intelligence and Ukrainian sources indicate that African recruits face dangerous conditions, lack proper contracts, and are deployed with minimal preparation. This mirrors similar situations reported in Kenya and other countries.

For South Africa, the case raises urgent questions about oversight, recruitment monitoring, and legal enforcement. It also exposes the potential for internal political disputes to have international ramifications, especially when personal networks intersect with foreign military interests.

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• The daughter of South Africa’s former leader has been accused of luring men to fight for Russia. Here’s what we know