• Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla accused of recruiting men to fight for Russian mercenaries in Ukraine.
• Police investigation initiated based on affidavit filed by her sister.
• The men were allegedly misled about their purpose in Russia, promised security jobs.
• U.S. government seeks to repatriate these South Africans caught in the conflict.
• Zuma-Sambudla is already facing unrelated treason charges.

South African police are investigating allegations involving Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma, who is accused of recruiting men to fight for Russian mercenaries in the Ukraine war. The claims were brought to light following an affidavit filed by Zuma-Sambudla's sister, Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, suggesting that 17 men were tricked into traveling to Russia under the pretense of receiving security training, only to be handed over to a mercenary group without their consent, according to South China Morning Post, BBC, and Los Angeles Times.

The South African government's distress calls have reportedly come from the 17 men, aged 20 to 39, who are now said to be trapped in Ukraine’s war-affected Donbas region. They alleged they were lured to fight for mercenary forces under lucrative job offers, raising concerns about the role of high unemployment rates in South Africa influencing such recruitment practices, as noted by BBC and Los Angeles Times.

South Africa's foreign minister has expressed that diplomatic efforts are underway to facilitate the repatriation of the men. He emphasized the challenge of the situation, confirming that investigations must proceed to identify those responsible for the alleged recruitment, according to police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe's statement reported by South China Morning Post and Los Angeles Times.

The allegations have compounded legal troubles for Zuma-Sambudla, who is already on trial for separate treason-related charges stemming from her social media posts during the 2021 riots in South Africa, which resulted in significant unrest. Her sister described a "moral obligation" to report her activities to authorities, reinforcing the seriousness of the charges against Zuma-Sambudla, highlighted by BBC and Los Angeles Times.