South African police on Sunday confirmed they are investigating claims that Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former President Jacob Zuma, and two others conned 17 men into fighting for Russia in Ukraine.

Another of Zuma's daughters, Nkosazana Bongamini Zuma-Mncube, accused her stepsister of sending the men to Russia before they were ordered to the front lines.

"These men were lured to Russia under false pretenses and handed to a Russian mercenary group to fight in the Ukraine war without their knowledge or consent. Among these 17 men are eight of my family members," Zuma-Mncube said in a public statement.

Earlier this month, President Cyril Ramaphosa's office said it "received distress calls for assistance to return home from 17 South African men, ages 20 to 39, who are trapped in the war-torn Donbas."

South Africans fighting for Russia in Ukraine

Zuma-Sambudla, who is a member of parliament for her father's uMkhonto weSizwe party (MK), did not immediately respond to the accusations.

She reportedly told the men they would train as bodyguards to work for the party.

On November 6, the South African Presidency said in a statement that the men were promised "lucrative employment contracts." Ramaphosa ordered an inquiry into how the men were recruited.

South African law prohibits citizens from fighting for foreign armies without government authorization.

Zuma-Mncube urged the government "to expedite all diplomatic efforts to secure the immediate and safe return of our citizens."

Zuma-Sambudla also on trial over deadly riots

The latest police investigation comes as Zuma-Sambudla is already on trial for allegedly inciting violence during riots in 2021 that left more than 300 people dead.

The unrest broke out in July 2021 after her father was arrested for disobeying a court order to testify at a corruption inquiry, and it morphed into widespread looting.

She pleaded not guilty to the charge during a hearing in early November attended by Zuma.

He was South Africa's president from 2009 to 2018.

MK was a major disruptor in last year's national election, contributing to a sharp drop in support for the African National Congress, which Zuma once led.

Edited by: Wesley Dockery