Nkosazana Bonganini Zuma-Mncube has filed a criminal case against her sister, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, over the Ukraine scheme scandal.
The eldest daughter of former president Jacob Zuma has accused her sister of being involved in luring South Africans to fight for Russia.
Zuma-Mncube filed a case at Sandton Police Station in Gauteng on Saturday, 22 November 2025.
She alleges that 17 South African men are currently stuck in the Ukraine-Russian War
“Driven by my moral obligation, I have opened a criminal case against Ms Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, Ms Siphokazi Xuma and Mr Blessing Khoza,” she said in a statement.
Zuma-Mncube’s statement comes after the government reported that it had received distress calls from men in the Donbas region, claiming to be trapped in Ukraine last week.
The presidency informed the government they were lured by promises of lucrative work contracts but ended up being recruited as mercenaries.
SOUTH AFRICANS TRAPPED IN UKRAINE CONFLICT
Zuma-Mncube claims that these men were deceived into going to Russia and handed to a Russian mercenary group to fight in the Ukraine war without their knowledge.
“Among these 17 men, who are requesting the South African government for assistance, are eight of my family members,” she said in a statement.
Another sibling, Thuthukile Zuma, commented on the matter on X.
“Heartbreaking. We must continue to advocate for their safe return home,” she said.
According to the South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the police registered and transferred the enquiry docket to the Hawks for further investigation.
Zuma-Mncube says these individuals contravened the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act.
“I urge the South African government to expedite all diplomatic efforts to secure the immediate and safe return of our citizens,” she said.
Zuma-Mncube has called on the public to be vigilant and not fall prey to individuals offering too-good-to-be-true opportunities abroad, especially those involving travel to conflict zones,” she said.
DUDUZILE ZUMA-SAMBUDLA’S JULY UNREST TRIAL
The 43-year-old is currently facing charges of incitement to commit terrorism and public violence over comments she made on X during deadly July unrest in 2021.
The unrest broke out after her father Zuma was arrested for disobeying a court order to testify at a corruption inquiry.
More than 400 people were killed during the unrest.
Zuma-Sambudla has once again found herself in hot water, However she has not commented on the matter.
