A family member of one the 17 South African (SA) men trapped in Ukraine has criticised the government for failing to repatriate them.

Yesterday, former President Jacob Zuma’s daughter, Nkosazana Bonganini Zuma-Mncube, opened a criminal case against her sister, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla as well as Siphokazi Xuma and Blessing Khoza relating to the matter.

Zuma-Mncube has accused all three of contravening the law ,she claims that the men were lured to Russia under false pretences and were handed to a Russian mercenary group to fight in the Ukraine-Russia war.

Sandile Ndhlovu the brother of one of the men says they were recruited in the name of going to get training for bodyguards or very important person protection.

They were recruited by Blessing Khoza and Duduzile Zuma and they said they would get VIP training for a period of a year because they went to Russia on July 8, 2025.

“We’ve been trying to get hold of senior officials in government and we actually wanted to get a hold of the president. We want the government to assist us with this issue but so far, we haven’t gotten any help.”

SA Police Service Spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe says the case is now being investigated.

–SABC–

WATCH| DIRCO Minister Ronald Lamola has described the South Africans currently caught up in the Ukraine-Russia war as “misguided” and assured that his department is working to help them return home safely. #SABCNEWSG20 pic.twitter.com/CQYewOSXoG

— SABC News (@SABCNews) November 23, 2025