Zuma Family Rift Deepens as Daughter Accuses Half Sister of Luring Men to Fight for Russia

Tensions within the family of former South African President Jacob Zuma have intensified following serious allegations made by his eldest daughter, who claims her half sister deceived 17 men into travelling abroad to fight for Russia in its ongoing war in Ukraine.

According to CNN, the dispute erupted after Zuma’s daughter accused her sibling of orchestrating what she described as a calculated recruitment scheme, targeting vulnerable men with promises of employment opportunities that allegedly turned out to be pathways into Russia’s military campaign. CNN reported that nearly half of the recruited men are believed to be members of the extended Zuma family, a development that has stirred both public shock and political conversation.

The situation has drawn renewed attention to the increasing recruitment of African nationals into Russian military forces. Analysts say the practice is tied to Moscow’s persistent manpower shortages as the conflict in Ukraine stretches into its third year. According to CNN, Russian defence networks have been expanding outreach in several African countries, tapping into young men seeking economic mobility or adventure, often without fully disclosing the risks involved.

The controversy also highlights long standing ties between Russia and veterans of South Africa’s African National Congress. During the apartheid era, the Soviet Union offered training and support to ANC fighters, fostering a relationship that has endured across generations. Jacob Zuma, a former ANC intelligence officer, was among the many who benefited from Soviet backing during the liberation struggle. CNN reported that this historic connection has made Russia’s outreach efforts in South Africa more effective and, in some cases, more difficult to regulate.

South African officials have not yet publicly commented on the allegations, and it remains unclear whether law enforcement will investigate the reported recruitment activities. Nevertheless, the claims have sparked national debate over the vulnerability of local youth to foreign military enlistment and the potential exploitation of political or family networks in facilitating such schemes.

As the Zuma family grapples with the growing controversy, the story continues to raise broader questions about Russia’s deepening footprint in Africa and the geopolitical complexities surrounding the Ukraine conflict, according to CNN.