Zuma's Russian connections: A mystery fixer, Siberian forests and a Belarus address

Former president Jacob Zuma is engaged in protracted discussions about trading carbon credits with a Russian NGO, facilitated by a newly established, yet enigmatic Belarusian entity, while sporting a new Belarusian address for his foundation.

The bizarre turn of events started last year when the Belarus African Foreign Trade Association (Bafta) – of which Zuma is a board member – debuted in the public eye. It attempted to donate a substantial two million carbon credits to the African Voluntary Carbon Credits Market Forum (AVCCM) in Zimbabwe.

Despite this significant move, Bafta has no online footprint or formal registration in Belarus, South Africa or Russia, and remains shrouded in mystery.