LOOK: Allegations of Mercenary Recruitment: Blessing Khoza at the Centre of Controversy

Blessing Khoza is allegedly the man who is central to 22 South African men being recruited as mercenaries to the Ukraine.

This is according former president Jacob Zuma's daughters, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and her elder sibling Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube.

Both women have opened charges against Khoza, which includes fraud, misrepresentation, trafficking in persons for purposes of exploitation, and the unlawful movement of South African citizens into or toward an active conflict zone.

Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube who filed criminal charges at the SAPS Sandton branch over weekend, claimed that Khoza, Siphokazi Xuma and her sister Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla played key roles in luring the men, some of whom were relatives, to Russia under false pretences, before handing them over to a mercenary outfit operating in Ukraine.

The men reportedly signed documents they did not fully understand before being moved to eastern Ukraine.

Khoza did not respond to calls and questions the Daily News sent to him at the time of publication

Sambudla-Zuma hit back on Monday and refuted allegations that she was responsible for recruiting her own family members and others as mercenaries for Ukraine.

The parliamentarian claimed that she too was duped by Khoza into believing that he had connections to a legitimate paramilitary training programme in Russia.

She then enlisted for the programme herself and travelled to Russia for training that lasted a month, during which time she did not engage in any combat and was not exposed to any form of combat.

While there, Sambudla-Zuma learned that the programme could accommodate more participants.

On her recommendation, a group of 22 individuals, arrived in Russia for the same programme.

"Our interaction began entirely because he approached me, not the other way around. I relied on the information he provided in good faith, as I had no reason at that time to suspect fraud or misrepresentation,” said Sambudla-Zuma about her liaisons with Khoza.

Sambudla-Zuma has since deposed her version of events in an affidavit that the Daily News has seen and has filed charges against Khoza, with the SAPS.

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (DPCI), known as the Hawks, confirmed their investigation into the matter of men being allegedly recruited to the Ukraine. 

Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Thandi Mbambo stated that the matter will be taken up with the Director for Public Prosecutions as the investigation commences.

“An investigation is currently underway and will include engaging with witnesses, sources, and other relevant processes necessary to gather evidence. Once all evidence has been collected and the investigative steps are concluded, the matter will be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for a decision,” she said.

DAILY NEWS