A shocking political and humanitarian scandal has emerged, linking former President Jacob Zuma to the mysterious disappearance of several members of his newly revived political movement, uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP). At least 17 South African men are reportedly stranded in the Russia-Ukraine war zone after being allegedly sent to Russia under the guise of “special security training” for Zuma’s personal protection unit.
The revelations surfaced following a statement last week from the Office of the Presidency, confirming that a group of South Africans had been caught up in the ongoing conflict in Eastern Europe and had reached out to the South African government for assistance. What initially appeared to be a group of tourists or contractors trapped by war chaos has now been linked to Zuma’s MKP operations, raising questions about covert political dealings and the exploitation of loyal supporters.
According to sources close to the stranded men’s families, the group left South Africa earlier this year after being promised “high-level security and intelligence training” in Russia. The training, allegedly arranged by associates within the Zuma camp, was supposedly meant to prepare them for roles as MKP bodyguards and regional security marshals ahead of the 2026 elections.
However, reports indicate that once they arrived in Russia, the supposed training program turned out to be a bogus military placement, and the men were subsequently moved closer to the Ukrainian border region under circumstances that remain unclear. Several family members now claim they were misled about the nature of the trip and that their relatives have been “abandoned and desperate.”
“Some of them managed to contact us, saying they have no money, no passports, and no way to come back,” said one relative of a stranded recruit. “They were promised by Duduzile Zuma and others that they would be picked up, but it never happened.”
In an unexpected twist, it is understood that the group, after weeks of failed communication with MKP leadership, made direct contact with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office, pleading for evacuation assistance. The Presidency has since confirmed it is “aware of the situation” and is working through diplomatic channels to ensure the safe return of South African nationals trapped in the region.
Political analysts have described the incident as “an alarming intersection of populist politics and reckless adventurism,” warning that it could further tarnish Zuma’s already controversial political comeback.
As investigations deepen, both the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) and State Security Agency (SSA) are reportedly probing the allegations to determine whether Zuma or his associates violated any international travel or recruitment laws.
For now, the 17 South Africans remain stranded in war-torn Ukraine, caught in a geopolitical storm far beyond their understanding victims of misplaced trust and political deception.
