Analysts say Russian military recruitment suspects should face more charges

Some analysts believe additional criminal charges should be brought against those accused of misleading South African men into joining the Russia-Ukraine .

Seventeen men have been in Russia after allegedly being recruited by former uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party member of Parliament (MP) Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla to join the country’s frontline forces.

Five more suspects appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrates Court on Monday, also accused of luring men to fight in the war.

While they currently face charges under the Foreign Military Assistance Act, defence analyst Helmoed Heitman said this may not be enough.

“If it were a South African who deliberately recruited to serve in the Russian army and lie to them about it, to me, that goes beyond the Military Assistance Act. If you are deliberately putting someone in a situation you know there is a high chance they’ll get killed, that’s not just playing fraud, but it takes things a bit further.”

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Political analyst Mpumelelo Mkhabela said that Zuma-Sambudla may also have to answer to the court of law.

“One of the last pieces of legislation Thabo Mbeki signed into law was the one that deals with mercenaries, that South Africans are prohibited from facilitating any mercenary activities abroad. if Zuma’s daughter is really involved, that would be a crime.”