SA Bodyguard Returns From Russia After Losing Leg in Ukraine War

Published 17 Sep 2026 at 12:00 PM

by Mbalenhle Butale

3 min read

Lifa Miya, 40, was among 22 men who travelled to Russia in June 2024 after being promised elite security training and high-paying contracts
A Ukrainian drone attack left Miya with severe injuries, eventually leading to the amputation of one of his legs at a hospital in St Petersburg
Miya has alleged that figures linked to the MK Party network were involved in recruiting the group, claims that have been denied

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RUssia Ukraine war — A picture of soldiers in the Ukraine-Russia war. Image: Kostiantyn Liberov
Source: Getty Images

DURBAN — A former VIP bodyguard from Durban has returned to South Africa with an artificial leg after claiming he was deceived into travelling to Russia, where he ended up on the frontlines of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Lifa Miya, 40, was one of 22 men, including 20 South Africans and two Botswana nationals, who departed for Russia in June 2024. Miya says the group believed they were going to receive Special Task Team training and take up well-paid security contracts. What followed, he alleges, was forced military service near an active war zone.

From VIP protection to Donbas trenches

According to TimesLive, Miya spent 12 years as a professional VIP protector, including assignments at residences associated with the late Zulu King Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu. He alleges the Russian opportunity was presented through contacts linked to the MK Party network, and that the recruits were made to sign Russian-language documents they could not read before being sent towards the frontline.

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He has named Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, Siphokazi Xuma and Blessing Khoza as being involved in the recruitment process.

Following roughly two months of training, Miya says he was deployed to Donbas, where his unit was tasked with digging trenches and clearing paths for artillery.

Drone strike and amputation in St Petersburg

On 12 December, Miya's unit came under attack from a Ukrainian drone while operating near the frontline. He sustained severe injuries to one foot and widespread shrapnel wounds across his body. As he was transferred between Russian medical facilities, his condition deteriorated.

Wife's persistent appeals secured his return

Miya credits his wife's repeated appeals to government officials, churches and media outlets with ultimately securing his repatriation. He has acknowledged President Cyril Ramaphosa and International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola for their roles in facilitating the return of the recruits.

He is now cooperating with South African authorities investigating how South Africans were recruited into the conflict. Reflecting on his ordeal, he said:

“I left with my two legs, I returned with one and horrible tales about the horrors of war we encountered.”

Miya has urged young people to rigorously verify job offers abroad before committing to them.

Dudu Zuma Sambuda denies linkt to Russia war recruitment scam

Briefly News also reported that 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.