Camilla Jessen
Families say sons were “captives” in Russia after taking part in fake training scheme.
A South African parliamentarian is accused of helping funnel 17 young men from South Africa and Botswana into Russia under the false promise of elite bodyguard training. Only for the recruits to find themselves in a war zone in occupied Donbas.
The allegations were first reported by Bloomberg and cited by the Kyiv Post.
Recruitment under false pretenses
According to Bloomberg’s review of messages, photos and testimony from relatives, MP Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party arranged the men’s travel to Russia, telling families the program was linked to MK training.
When they arrived, the recruits were presented with military contracts in a language they did not understand, and communication with family was abruptly cut off.
Photos reviewed by Bloomberg show the men dressed in camouflage and participating in combat exercises with Russian instructors.
Reassurances and contradictions
As families panicked, WhatsApp messages show Zuma-Sambudla trying to calm them. One recruit wrote that they were “packing up and getting ready to go to the war zone” and asked why their phones and bank cards were being confiscated.
Zuma-Sambudla reportedly replied: “It’s not the front line. It just scares you.”
She told them they would only be used for patrols or support tasks such as cooking or cleaning weapons, and claimed she would “personally withdraw them” if they were sent to combat.
In other messages she said she had attended the same bodyguard course, telling the men the instructors would “challenge you, just like they did with me,” before insisting “everything will be fine.”
Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, has publicly supported Vladimir Putin and previously traveled to Russia.
Police investigation
South Africa’s specialized police unit for crimes against the state has taken over the case, examining whether criminal charges should be filed.
The South African presidency said earlier this month that it had been asked to repatriate the 17 men, who were believed to be “captives” in Donbas after being lured under the pretext of lucrative employment contracts.”
Serving in a foreign army without government approval is illegal for South African citizens.
Sources: Bloomberg, Kyiv Post, Agerpres, Digi24
