'The families deserve justice’: Mbalula slams recruitment of South Africans to Russia
African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has condemned the alleged recruitment of South Africans to fight for Russia
Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has condemned the alleged recruitment of South Africans to fight for Russia in Ukraine, calling it a “selling” of innocent citizens.
Mbalula was responding to media reports on X formerly (Twitter), showing the account of a KwaZulu-Natal father whose son, along with at least 16 other South Africans, was allegedly misled into travelling to Russia under the promise of bodyguard training.
Earlier this year, the daughter of former President Jacob Zuma, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, was accused by his family of recruiting the men under false pretences. Police also confirmed the arrest of five South Africans, including national radio presenter Nonkululeko Mantula, in connection with the case.
"Four suspects are expected to appear before the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 01 December 2025, following their arrest on Friday, 28 November 2025, on suspicion of contravening the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act, 15 of 1998," the Hawks said earlier this year.
"A preliminary investigation revealed that a South African female had allegedly been facilitating the travel and recruitment of these individuals into the Russian Federation military,".
Mbalula said South Africans were being “sold by daughters” to fight in foreign wars and condemned what he called the " exploitation.
"Why are innocent sons of our country being sold by daughters to fight foreign wars to fund lifestyles," Mbalula said.
He added that the law must take its course and that families of the recruits, particularly those in KwaZulu-Natal, deserve answers and justice. Mbalula emphasised that no South African should be misled into fighting in foreign conflicts under false pretences.
"The law must take its course, and our people must see that justice is being done. The families in KwaZulu-Natal deserve answers and justice," Mbalula added.
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