South African authorities are investigating allegations that at least 17 citizens were tricked into fighting for Russian forces in Ukraine with promises of lucrative security jobs, amid a scandal involving the daughter of former President Jacob Zuma and recent arrests of suspected recruiters.
The men, aged 20 to 39, sent distress calls to the government in early November 2025, saying they were stranded in the war-torn Donbas region after being lured abroad under false pretenses. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office confirmed the pleas and said efforts were underway to repatriate them through diplomatic channels.
Promises of Work Turn to Combat
Many of the men said they were recruited through networks linked to the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, founded by Zuma, with offers of bodyguard training or high-paying security roles. Unemployment in South Africa stands at around 33%, making such opportunities appealing.
One man, speaking anonymously to The New York Times, described receiving a call promising a yearlong training program in Russia followed by security work for the MK Party. Weeks after arriving, he was issued military fatigues and sent to the front lines in Donbas, facing trenches, drones and gunfire.
Voice notes obtained by media outlets, including the BBC and NPR, capture the men’s desperation. In one, a recruit describes being packed into a truck with military equipment, heading toward combat. Families say the men signed contracts in Russian they could not understand, pressured by trusted recruiters.
Family Rift and Political Ties
The allegations have exposed divisions within the Zuma family. Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, a former MK Party lawmaker and Jacob Zuma’s daughter, resigned from parliament on Nov. 28, 2025, amid claims of involvement.
Her half-sister, Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, filed a police complaint accusing Zuma-Sambudla and two others of luring the men — including eight relatives — to Russia under false pretenses, only to hand them over to a mercenary group. Zuma-Sambudla denied wrongdoing, saying she believed the program was legitimate non-combat training and that she too was deceived by a contact named Blessing Khoza.
The MK Party distanced itself, stating the resignation was not an admission of guilt and pledging support for the families. Jacob Zuma has longstanding ties to Russia from anti-apartheid days, and his daughter has posted pro-Russian messages on social media.
Arrests Highlight Recruitment Networks
South African police made arrests in late November 2025, charging five people with violating the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act, which bans citizens from joining foreign armies without approval.
Among those appearing in court on Dec. 1 was Nonkululeko Mantula, a 39-year-old presenter for state broadcaster SABC’s SAfm radio station. She and four men were accused of facilitating recruitment and travel to Russia. The case was postponed for a bail hearing on Dec. 8.
The arrests followed a tip-off at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport, where suspects were intercepted en route to Russia via the United Arab Emirates. Police said Mantula organized enlistment for at least four unemployed men, promising salaries far above local wages.
The elite Hawks unit described the arrests as part of a broader probe into “crimes against the state.”
Russian Tactics Target Vulnerable Africans
Russia has faced manpower shortages in its nearly four-year war in Ukraine, leading to increased recruitment from Africa and elsewhere. Tactics often involve fake job ads for non-combat roles like factory work or security, only to coerce enlistment upon arrival.
Ukraine’s foreign minister said in November 2025 that over 1,400 Africans from 36 countries were fighting for Russia, many under duress. Similar cases have emerged in Kenya, Cameroon and Nepal.
In South Africa, warnings were issued earlier in 2025 about scams targeting women for drone factory jobs in Russia. Analysts say Moscow exploits historical Cold War ties and economic hardship in neutral countries like South Africa, a BRICS member.
Government Response and Challenges
Ramaphosa’s office condemned the “exploitation of young vulnerable people” and launched an investigation. Diplomatic efforts to secure the men’s return continue, but challenges persist in the Russian-controlled Donbas.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry has not commented directly on the South Africans, while Ukraine urged the men to surrender for safe treatment as prisoners of war.
Families remain anguished, with some reporting wounds or missing loved ones. One relative told NPR the men live in constant fear amid artillery and drone attacks.
Broader Implications
The scandal has sparked debate over South Africa’s non-aligned stance on the Ukraine war and its relations with Russia. Opposition parties called it a national security issue.
Human rights groups labeled the recruitment “modern-day conscription through deception.” As Russia’s war continues, experts warn such schemes may expand, preying on poverty across the developing world.
South African authorities urged citizens to beware of overseas job offers, especially on social media. For the stranded men, hopes rest on diplomacy to bring them home from a conflict far removed from their own.
Agencies contributed to this report
