Daughter of former South African leader resigns from Parliament amid accusations of Russian mercenaries involvement

JOHANNESBURG Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of ex-South African President Jacob Zuma, has resigned from her position as a lawmaker, her political party confirmed on Friday. The decision comes after authorities launched an investigation into allegations that she misled 17 South African men into joining a Russian mercenary group involved in the conflict in Ukraine.

Zuma-Sambudla had represented the MK Party in parliament since June 2024. The MK Party, founded by Jacob Zuma in 2023 following his departure from the African National Congress, serves as an opposition political movement.

Police are probing her potential role in recruiting South Africans who subsequently found themselves on the front lines in eastern Ukraine. Earlier this month, the government reported receiving urgent calls from 17 men, aged between 20 and 39, who claimed they were trapped in the Donbas region. They had been lured by promises of lucrative work contracts abroad.

An affidavit from Zuma-Sambudlas half-sister, Nkosazana Bonganini Zuma-Mncube, alleges that Duduzile and two unidentified individuals convinced the men to go to Russia for supposed security training, ultimately handing them over to a mercenary organization. Eight of the 17 men are reportedly relatives of the Zuma family.

The South African foreign ministry and police are coordinating with international law enforcement to secure the return of the men, according to the parliamentary foreign relations committee.

Nkosinathi Nhleko, national chairman of the MK Party, announced Zuma-Sambudlas resignation during a press conference. He confirmed that she had submitted a report concerning the alleged involvement of young South Africans in Ukraine but declined to provide specifics due to the sensitive nature of the case. Nhleko also stated that the party had no part in sending the men to Russia and pledged support to their families in efforts to bring them home.

Zuma-Sambudla is also facing unrelated charges for her alleged role in anti-government riots in 2021. She has pleaded not guilty to accusations of inciting violence through social media activity.

Author: Sophia Brooks