A South African man, with eyes darkened by sleepless nights, tells us his older brother was lured into combating for Russia on the frontline in Ukraine’s raging Donbas area.
“To them, it’s a suicide mission because they have never been trained for the military. They don’t have military training – they don’t have military experience,” says Bongani, whose title we now have modified for his security.
Within the hidden again backyard of a modest resort in KwaZulu-Natal province, he continues: “They don’t have experience of any war. They are just bodyguards who want to get a job and provide for their families. That’s all.”
Bongani says his brother travelled to Russia on a flight by way of Dubai after being instructed he can be receiving bodyguard coaching together with no less than 16 different South African males. After signing a contract in Russian, their destiny was sealed.
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Bongani, not his actual title, tells Yousra his brother was on a ‘suicide mission’
“The problems started when they were moved from Russia to Ukraine, and they asked them: ‘Guys – where are we going now because we are here for training?’
“After which the Russians stated: ‘Coaching for what? We do not know something about coaching – what we all know is that you’ve got signed the contract. You’re below our command now – below the Russian military.'”
How is this happening?
In one video, a man in military fatigues details the moment they signed their contracts. He claims Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, encouraged them to sign away their lives.
“We refused to signal the contract varieties as a result of it was written in Russia, which we did not perceive. We requested them for a translator – somebody who can translate the language. They stated there was no community,” he says in fluent English.
“That’s when Duduzile got here with a man by the title of Khosa. She stated we should signal the contract as a result of it’s the identical factor they did. Duduzile stated she is doing the identical course we’re doing, the identical coaching, and that sadly she will not be with us as a result of she is coaching some place else.”
“Sure, we agreed. We did signal the varieties as a result of we belief the woman, Duduzile.”
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South African males declare they have been trafficked by Duduzile Zuma, daughter of the nation’s former president – allegations she denies
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla is accused of trafficking South African males – together with eight of her personal family members – for mercenary recruitment by her half-sister Nkosazana Bonganini Zuma-Mncube, who has filed police fees in opposition to her.
She denies the allegations and says she was a sufferer of deception, misrepresentation, and manipulation.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) say they’re at the moment investigating the fees. Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla has resigned as a member of parliament and has not responded to our request for remark.
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Former president Jacob Zuma together with his daughter Duduzile Zuma, carrying “I Stand With Russia” T-Shirt in 2023. Pic: @DZumaSambudla/X
5 hours away in Johannesburg’s Gauteng province, we watched as one other case of suspected mercenary recruitment performed out in a South African Justice of the Peace’s court docket.
5 suspects have been ushered out right into a crowded courtroom in Kempton Park after being arrested on their means out of Johannesburg’s Oliver R Tambo airport following a tip-off to the police that they have been allegedly travelling to Russia by way of the United Arab Emirates.
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5 individuals suspected of making an attempt to affix Russia’s battle effort in Ukraine seem in a Johannesburg court docket
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Among the many 5 suspects is Patricia Mantuala, 39, suspected of recruiting the boys
The road-up is sullen because the three younger males on one finish of the stand look down at their arms. The youngest is simply 21 years previous.
On the different finish of the stand is a 39-year-old girl referred to as Patricia Mantuala, who stands accused of recruiting them. The 5 suspects have been finally granted bail by the court docket after a postponed listening to.
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South Africa’s specialised police unit is investigating a rising recruitment drive
Amid indicators of a rising recruitment drive, the households of those that say they’re trapped combating for Russia in Ukraine are advocating for his or her family members to return residence – in opposition to all odds.
“You are dealing with people who are well known in South Africa and in South Africa nobody’s safe and we may never know what’s going to happen next to us,” says Bongani.
“What’s going to happen to our family?”
