Statement by Chris Hattingh MP – DA Spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans:
The Democratic Alliance is alarmed by News24’s report that young South African men were charged R20 000 for supposed travel and training, only to be sent directly into the Russia-Ukraine war.
According to the article, these invoices were issued through individuals linked to the MK Party. If true, this paid recruitment pipeline represents a serious criminal and national-security concern.
The report implicates former President Jacob Zuma and his daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, in communications and logistics coordinating the trips.
Based on today’s media reporting, the DA will request that investigating officers expand the SAPS investigation to include all MK Party structures and individuals implicated.
The DA will also ask the Parliament’s Ethics Committee to expidite its probe into Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla’s involvement in the war recruitment claims.
If a registered political party is involved in crime, it can be investigated, prosecuted, deregistered by the IEC, and deprived of public funding.
Leaders can be criminally charged, with assets frozen. A party found guilty of human trafficking or illegal recruitment can be dissolved. South Africa cannot allow a former President and his party to run an off-the-books war recruitment network.
The DA will continue to push for accountability and the safe return of every victim.