Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla faces allegations by Stepsister based on mercenary involvement in Ukraine. Photo by: Facebook extraction
(The Post News) – Nkosazana Bongamini Zuma-Ncube is the biological daughter of former president Jacob Zuma. She accused her stepsister, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, of trafficking Zuma family members to Russia, to fight against Ukraine.
Zuma-Ncube (41) alleged in a public statement. She claimed that eight out of the 17 South Africans in Russia are Zuma family members. They are there for “bodyguard training.” They were later deployed to frontlines of an ongoing war.
Zama-Ncube stated that the men were lured to Russia under false pretenses. They were handed over to the mercenary group (Wagner). They had no knowledge on their obligation to fight in the Ukrainian war.
The Nature of The Changes Case Filed Against Zam-Sambundla
Zama-Ncube is said to have filed charges against her stepsister, Zuma-Sambudla (43). The accusations are for violating the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act. An allegations that she also violated the Foreign Military Assistance Act and committed fraud. Ncube claims to have done the right thing, based on “moral obligation”.
She explained that the group of South Africans were recruited by Jacob Zuma’s Mkhonto we Sizwe party (MK). Recruitments were done through MK Member of Parliament, Zuma-Sambudla. She confirmed to having opened a case in Sandton SAPS station on the 22nd November 2025. Sambudla is allegedly working with two other individuals. These individuals are Siphokazi Xuma and Blessing Khoza. They are role players in this tragedy.
Ncube further stated that irrespective of this information being at her disposal, the three are still responsible for their transgressions. These include violating important South African laws and regulations. Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, SAPS spokesperson, confirmed that the case has been handed over to a provincial level. It shall be dealt with there.
Affected Citizens
The controversial scandal involving the young men and Sambudla being the “mastermind” is considered an embarrassment towards her father. Zuma wrote to the Russian Defense Minister, Andrey Belousov. He was pleading for a resolution. He wanted the South Africans removed from combat. Ncube in her statement emphasized her wish to handle the matter of 17 South African male citizens being trapped amidst the Ukraine-Russia war and signed it off as a deeply concerned South African Citizen.
Ramaposha to the Rescue.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office reported on the 6th November 2025 that it had received a call. The call came from a group of 17 young men. Ramaphosa was then informed of them being deceived through “recruitment” into joining the war and were promised good salaries. He then ordered an investigation into this “alleged recruitment” into what seems to be the mercenary.
Violating the 1998 Foreign Millitary Assistance Act can result in dire repercussions like hefty fines and apprehension or both. Sambudla and her accomplices may face charges under the 2006 Act with clearly prohibits mercenary involvement in foreign conflicts. This act governs the enrollment of South Africans into foreign armed forces. It forbids recruitment, training, and funding of mercenary operations.
The Act dictates how South African citizens may join foreign armed forces. It forbids all training, recruitment, and funding of mercenary activity in conflicted areas. Under the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, main offences can carry up to R1 million in fines. Offenders may face a life sentence or even both.
Nkandla’s “behind The scenes”
Sambudla and her twin brother, Duduzane Zuma were born in 1982 in Mozambique from Zuma’s third wife, Kate Mantsho. Zuma and Mantsho went into a divine union in 1976. Tragically, Mantsho cut her own life short in 2000 at the age of 44. She ingested sleeping pills and an anti-malarial prophylactic.
When journalists discovered her suicide note, they were blamed for playing victim to Zuma’s political enemies for “smear campaign” purposes. In this note, Mantsho described her marriage to Zuma as a bitter and painful experience. She wished the “new makoti” good luck. She hoped for a successful marriage as the seat she will occupy is a very hot one.
The Cries of The First Daughter
Sambudla being her father’s number one supporter, she awaits trial as she was arrested in January after handing herself over. Social media expert Emma Sadlier provided testimony during the previous week. She is a state witness. Sadlier informed the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Division of the High Court in Durban. She recommends Sambudla face four charges. These are for her incitement on social media during the unrest in July 2021.
Sadlier explained that this had to take place. Sambudla celebrated acts of violence in KZN and Gauteng after her father’s arrest. More than 350 lost their lives and the economy experienced loss exceeding R50 billion. Looting, blockages and other criminal activities were popular during this time.
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