Did Zuma’s daughter trick men into fighting for Russia? | The Take

Key Concepts

• Human Trafficking: The illegal recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons, through the use of threat or force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of any person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.
• Fraud: Deception intended to result in financial or personal gain.
• MK Party: uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party, a political party founded by former South African President Jacob Zuma.
• BRICS: An acronym for an association of five major emerging national economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
• State Capture: A term used in South Africa to describe the alleged corrupt influence of private interests on the government.
• Apartheid Era: The period in South African history from 1948 to 1994 when the country was governed by a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination.

Allegations Against Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla

Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, is accused of luring 17 South African men and two Batswana men to Russia. The alleged pretext for their travel was bodyguard training for the Zuma-led MK party, personal development, or opportunities for Russian university and citizenship. However, after a few weeks of training, which included learning to use firearms, these men were allegedly sent to the front lines in eastern Ukraine.

Accusations and Legal Proceedings

• Criminal Case: Duduzile's half-sister, Kosana, filed an affidavit with the police accusing Duduzile of trafficking these men, violating South African law that prohibits assisting foreign militaries, and fraud.
• Opposition Party Charges: The Democratic Alliance (DA), South Africa's second-largest party in the coalition government, also filed charges against Duduzile, accusing her of recruiting men for Russia.
• Resignation from Parliament: Following these accusations, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla resigned from her position as a Member of Parliament for the MK opposition party.
• Denial of Wrongdoing: Duduzile denies all allegations, stating in a sworn affidavit that she acted in good faith and was herself duped by a man named Blessing Ka. She claims she was merely passing on an opportunity for training that she herself had undertaken.

The Men Trapped in Ukraine

• Number and Origin: The group consists of 17 South African men and two Batswana men. Originally, there were three more South African men, including Andile Mandela, a grandson of Nelson Mandela, and two others connected to the Mandela family, who reportedly managed to leave Russia due to their connections.
• Location: These men are reportedly trapped in the Donbas region of Ukraine, an area of intense fighting.
• Promises vs. Reality: The men were allegedly promised training and personal development, not combat roles. They have expressed fear, cold, and confusion, with some stating they are being accused of treason when they try to refuse deployment.
• Communication: Screenshots of WhatsApp groups show these men expressing their distress and asking for help. Duduzile and Blessing Ka are seen in these groups assuring them that the situation will be resolved. However, some mothers have lost contact with their sons, with one being informed that her son's whereabouts are unknown but that he is likely still in eastern Ukraine.

Testimonies from Relatives

One mother, speaking anonymously to protect her identity and her son's, recounted her son's initial reluctance to go to Russia. Duduzile allegedly persuaded him, calling it a "fantastic opportunity." She last heard from her son on August 27th, when he spoke from another man's phone, expressing their belief that they were being sent to the front lines, contrary to what they were promised. This mother has been experiencing severe anxiety and has been in and out of hospital due to the stress of not knowing her son's whereabouts.

Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's Public Persona and Political Background

• Family Ties: Duduzile is the daughter of former President Jacob Zuma, a prominent and often controversial figure in South African politics. She was a Member of Parliament for the MK party, which Jacob Zuma founded in 2023 after his expulsion from the African National Congress (ANC).
• Support for Russia: Duduzile has been vocal in her support for Russia on social media. She posted a photo of her father and Russian President Vladimir Putin toasting each other on the day Russia invaded Ukraine, with the caption, "We love you both loudly and unapologetically, so I'll drink to that."
• Previous Legal Troubles: This is not the first time Duduzile has faced serious accusations. She is currently on trial for allegedly inciting the 2021 riots in South Africa, which resulted in over 300 deaths. These riots erupted after her father was jailed for failing to attend a corruption inquiry. She denies these charges, attributing her involvement to her social media posts during the riots.
• Public Image: Despite facing serious charges, Duduzile often presents a charismatic and stylish public image. Videos show her being greeted with enthusiasm, with some appearances resembling joyous political rallies or celebrity events. She has been seen wearing attire that references the "modern-day terrorist" label, drawing a parallel to how freedom fighters were labeled during the apartheid era.
• Political Identity: She is largely seen as a loyal supporter of her father, campaigning for his causes and party. She has not developed a significant independent political identity, often being perceived as less politically astute than her father.

Zuma Family's Connections with Russia

• Jacob Zuma's Relationship with Russia: During his presidency, Jacob Zuma fostered close ties with Russia, notably advocating for South Africa's inclusion in the BRICS bloc. He viewed BRICS as a counterweight to Western influence and presented himself as an anti-imperialist revolutionary.
• Medical Treatment: Jacob Zuma allegedly received medical treatment in Russia in 2014 after being poisoned and again in 2023.
• Nuclear Deal: While president, Zuma pursued a nuclear deal with Russia, which was allegedly corrupt and subsequently canceled. He has consistently denied corruption allegations.
• Reported Attempts to Secure Release: There are reports that Jacob Zuma, along with Duduzile, traveled to Russia in early October to attempt to secure the release of the men trapped in Ukraine. Duduzile allegedly informed a relative of one of the men that she and her father were going to Russia to resolve the situation. A letter, purportedly from Jacob Zuma to Russia's Defense Minister, dated September 19th, has also been published in South African media, requesting assistance in bringing the men home and warning of potential negative impacts on Russia-Africa relations if the men come to harm. However, reports suggest that Jacob Zuma and Duduzile were denied a meeting with Kremlin officials.

Impact on the Zuma Legacy and the MK Party

• Polarizing Figures: Both Jacob and Duduzile Zuma are polarizing figures in South Africa. For those who already held negative views of the Zuma family, these new allegations further solidify their opinions.
• MK Party's Future: The MK party, which secured 14.6% of the vote in the last national election, has been experiencing internal infighting. Political analysts doubt its ability to survive intact after Jacob Zuma's departure from the political scene.
• Jacob Zuma's Legacy: Jacob Zuma's legacy is already marked by numerous corruption allegations and the "state capture" era during his presidency (2009-2018), during which South Africa's economy allegedly suffered significantly. These new scandals add to his already tarnished reputation.
• Potential Impact on Support: While some communities that supported the Zuma family and the MK party might withdraw their support due to the Ukraine incident, Jacob Zuma is expected to retain a core base of support, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal. However, this support might be diminished compared to previous elections.
• Duduzile's Political Future: It remains uncertain whether Duduzile can command the same level of support as her father. While she has fans, her political influence is largely tied to her father's.

Conclusion

The case involving Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and the alleged trafficking of South African men to fight in Ukraine is a complex and deeply concerning situation. It highlights issues of human trafficking, fraud, and the entanglement of political families with international conflicts. The allegations have led to legal proceedings against Duduzile, her resignation from parliament, and have further complicated the already controversial legacy of her father, Jacob Zuma, and the future of the MK party. The plight of the men trapped in Ukraine remains a central and tragic aspect of this unfolding story.