Zuma’s Daughter Implicated in Alleged Recruitment of Young Mercenaries for Russia
Ramaphosa Orders Probe into Claims of South Africans Sent to Fight in Russia’s War
Elohim Nyame 
A fresh political storm has erupted in South Africa following explosive allegations that Duduzile Zuma, daughter of former President Jacob Zuma and a current Member of Parliament, played a key role in recruiting young men to fight for Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine.
A Bloomberg investigation reveals that Duduzile allegedly facilitated the travel of about 20 young men from South Africa and neighbouring Botswana to Russia in July, under the guise of undergoing “bodyguard training” for her father’s political movement. Families of the recruits say the men had believed they were signing up for legitimate security work, only to discover they had unknowingly entered into Russian military contracts written entirely in Russian; a language none of them could read.
According to relatives, the recruits were rapidly dispatched to the front lines soon after their arrival. Several families say they have not heard from their loved ones since August, raising fears that some may have been injured, detained, or worse. Others who managed to send brief communications reportedly described harsh conditions and pressure to participate in active combat.
The allegations have ignited severe public backlash, with critics accusing Duduzile Zuma of exploiting vulnerable young men and drawing South Africa into a geopolitical conflict that the government has publicly maintained a neutral stance on. Duduzile, who has been vocal on social media in her support for Russia, has yet to issue a detailed public response following the publication of the investigation.
The revelations have prompted President Cyril Ramaphosa to call for a full-scale inquiry into how South African citizens were recruited to take part in a foreign war; an act that could contravene both domestic and international law. The Presidency emphasised that no South African citizen is authorised to participate as a mercenary in any foreign conflict, stressing that such actions undermine national policy and place individuals at grave risk.
Security analysts warn that the incident underscores a worrying trend of foreign powers covertly recruiting citizens from African nations for military purposes. They argue that economic hardship, high unemployment, and political disillusionment have created fertile conditions for exploitative recruitment schemes.
Families of the missing men are demanding urgent intervention to secure their safe return, with some accusing political figures of manipulating their sons for personal or ideological gain. Civil society organisations have also urged Parliament to act swiftly, noting that the allegations, if proven represent a serious breach of public trust and a potential national security threat.
