South Africa Seeks Return of 17 Men Allegedly Deceived Into Russian Military

Government-critical narrative

Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla is less the core issue than a symptom of a deeper state failure. The case reflects a system where political proximity, weak oversight and economic desperation allowed citizens to be recruited under false pretenses and drawn into Russia’s war effort. Accounts of unreadable contracts, coerced signatures and desperate frontline messages point not to an isolated abuse, but to a governance vacuum — one in which the state failed to protect its people while shielding itself behind geopolitical caution.