In a significant political development, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, has stepped down from her parliamentary position following allegations of involvement in recruiting citizens for Russian military operations in Ukraine. The resignation was confirmed by her political party, the MK Party, during a Friday press briefing.
National Chairman Nkosinathi Nhleko announced the departure while acknowledging the “sensitivity” of the situation, though he provided limited details about the circumstances surrounding her resignation. The move comes as South African authorities investigate claims that Zuma-Sambudla participated in deceiving 17 South African men into traveling to Russia under false pretenses of security training opportunities, only to find themselves coerced into frontline combat roles in Ukraine’s Donbas region.
According to official statements, the affected individuals—ranging from 20 to 39 years old—had initially believed they were accepting legitimate employment contracts. Distress communications from the group prompted intervention from South Africa’s foreign ministry and police agencies, who are now collaborating with international law enforcement to facilitate their repatriation.
Notably, court documents submitted by Zuma-Sambudla’s half-sister, Nkosazana Bonganini Zuma-Mncube, allege that eight of the recruited men are extended family members. The affidavit further claims the South Africans were transferred to a Russian mercenary organization upon arrival.
The MK Party leadership has explicitly denied institutional involvement in the recruitment operation while pledging support for the families seeking the safe return of their relatives. This controversy emerges alongside Zuma-Sambudla’s ongoing trial concerning unrelated charges of inciting violence during the 2021 anti-government protests, to which she has pleaded not guilty.