South Africa Jacob Zuma's daughter 'tricked men' into fighting for Russia

South African police are investigating allegations that a daughter of the former president Jacob Zuma tricked men into fighting against Ukraine by telling them they were travelling to Russia for paramilitary training.

- Rachel Savage

Another of Zuma’s daughters, Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, filed a police report alleging that her sister, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, and two others, Siphokazi Xuma and Blessing Khoza, had recruited 17 men who are now trapped on the frontline in Ukraine.

A copy of Zuma-Mncube’s statement said: “These men were lured to Russia under false pretences and handed to a Russian mercenary group to fight in the Ukraine war without their knowledge or consent.

“Among these 17 men, who are requesting the South African government for assistance, are eight of my family members.”

Zuma-Mncube accused the trio of people trafficking, assisting foreign militaries and fraud, saying she was “driven by moral obligation”. A spokesperson for the South African Police Service confirmed officers had received the statement.