Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla Denies Role in Trafficking Men to Ukraine, Claims She’s the Victim of a Scam
- Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla has shared her version of events about the trafficking of 17 men to Ukraine
- The men reportedly were misled into joining mercenary forces in the Russia-Ukraine conflict
- Zuma-Sambudla stated under oath that she was not the mastermind but was also a victim of a scam
Source: Getty Images
Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
GAUTENG – The saga surrounding the 17 South African men who were lured to the Ukraine under false pretences has taken a new twist.
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, who was accused of being involved in the trafficking of the men, has stated under oath that she wasn’t the mastermind.
Zuma-Sambudla has instead claimed that she was the victim of an elaborate deception, blaming Blessing Rhulani Khoza, a man she said she never met or even heard of before he contacted her via WhatsApp.
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Zuma-Sambudla maintains that she’s innocent
In an affidavit submitted to the Sandton Police Station, Jacob Zuma’s daughter stated that Khoza portrayed himself as a South African living in Russia, who had access to a lawful, structured, non-combat paramilitary training program designed for civilians.
Zuma-Sambudla explained that she travelled to Russia at her own expense and completed one month of surface-level training.
“I experienced only non-combat, controlled activities. I was never exposed to combat, never deployed,” she stated.
She further stated that when Khoza told her that more participants could be accommodated, she shared the information with family and friends, as she believed it to be the same training she had undertaken.
“I shared information innocently. They chose to join on their own interest,” she claimed.
Her explanation comes after her half-sister, Nkosazana Zuma Mncube, accused Zuma-Sambudla and two others of ‘tricking 17 men into fighting for Russian mercenaries.’ She claimed that the recruits were told they were travelling to Russia to train as bodyguards for the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party.
Stranded men reach out to the government for help
The plight of the men first came to light on 6 November 2025 when the group of men sent a distress call to the South African government. Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya explained that the men said they were promised lucrative employment contracts, but were thrust into the front lines of a conflict.
Magwenya said that the government was working to secure their return home. He added that the men claimed they were informed that they would be trained as bodyguards, but were then forced to join the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Other stories about the men in Ukraine
Briefly News reported that the news about the men trapped in the wartorn area had made headlines
- Bonganini Nkosazana Zuma reportedly opened a criminal case against her sister, Zuma-Sambudla.
- The Hawks confirmed that an investigation into Zuma-Sambudla's alleged involvement was launched.
- A legal expert commented on the case of the South African men who were trapped in Donbas in Ukraine.
Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
