In a significant development, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) has officially launched a comprehensive investigation into reports of 17 South African men allegedly trapped in the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, following explosive allegations of human trafficking made within one of South Africa’s most prominent political families.
The investigation stems from serious allegations made by Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, who has accused her own sibling, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, along with two other individuals – Siphokasi Xuma and Blessing Khosa – of orchestrating an elaborate trafficking scheme that saw 17 South African men transported to Russia under false pretences.
Nkosazana and Duduzile are both daughters of former SA president, Jacob Zuma.
According to Zuma-Mncube’s allegations, the men were lured to Russia with misleading promises before being handed over to a Russian mercenary group and forced into the Russian-Ukrainian conflict without their knowledge or consent. Particularly concerning to her is that eight of these men are her own relatives, highlighting the personal nature of this international crisis.
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The allegations suggest a coordinated recruitment effort that violated multiple South African laws, including the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act, and various fraud-related legislation.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) has now confirmed the launch of a formal investigation following two separate enquiries lodged at Sandton Police Station. The first was filed by Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, followed by a second enquiry registered on Sunday 24 November, by Duduzile herself.
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“Both matters are being investigated jointly to determine whether any criminality, including possible human trafficking, illegal recruitment, exploitation, or fraud, may have contributed to the movement of these individuals to the conflict zone,” stated Police spokesperson Brigadier Thandi Mbambo.
The DPCI has adopted a coordinated strategy, working closely with various government departments and international authorities to ensure a thorough investigation. This collaboration spans multiple areas of expertise, from international relations to identity verification and foreign law enforcement engagement.
“This multi-departmental cooperation ensures that the investigation proceeds within the legal mandates of all structures involved, particularly on matters relating to international relations, identity verification, and foreign law-enforcement engagement,” said Mbambo.
The investigation comes at a time when the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to draw foreign fighters and volunteers from around the world, raising concerns about how recruitment occurs and whether vulnerable individuals are being exploited or misled into participating in foreign conflicts.
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