South Africa Seeks Return of 17 Men Allegedly Deceived Into Russian Military
- South African authorities are negotiating with Russia to secure the return of 17 South African men who were allegedly deceived into joining the Russian military after being recruited in July.
- Allegations center on Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, who recruiters allegedly promised party bodyguard training or a personal development programme, a police report filed by Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube says, noting eight relatives were among those taken; Zuma-Sambudla denies the allegations and has resigned as a member of parliament.
- Evidence includes SOS videos where men say `The problems started when they were moved from Russia to Ukraine, and they asked them: ‘Guys- where are we going now because we are here for training?’` and describe signing Russian contracts without translators, as viewed by Sky News.
- Families have staged protests calling for the men’s return, with at least 13 relatives and friends gathering outside Durban city hall, while the South African Police Service and the Hawks investigate and warn more arrests are possible.
- Russia’s embassy in South Africa has not replied to requests for comment, and five suspects arrested at Oliver R Tambo airport appeared in Kempton Park magistrate’s court, where they were granted bail.
Allegations of Mercenary Recruitment: Blessing Khoza at the Centre of Controversy
Blessing Khoza is allegedly the man who is central to 22 South African men being recruited as mercenaries to the Ukraine.
This is according former president Jacob Zuma’s daughters, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and her elder sibling Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube.
Both women have opened charges against Khoza, which includes fraud, misrepresentation, trafficking in persons for purposes of exploitation, and the unlawful movement of South African citizens into or toward an active conflict zone.
Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube who filed criminal charges at the SAPS Sandton branch over weekend, claimed that Khoza, Siphokazi Xuma and her sister Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla played key roles in luring the men, some of whom were relatives, to Russia under false pretences, before handing them over to a mercenary outfit operating in Ukraine.
The men reportedly signed documents they did not fully understand before being moved to eastern Ukraine.
Khoza did not respond to calls and questions the Daily News sent to him at the time of publication
