Zuma-Sambudla Resigns Over Russia Recruit Probe

Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma, has resigned from parliament following claims that she was involved in recruiting South African men to fight for Russian mercenaries in the war in Ukraine, her political party confirmed on Friday.

Police said last week that they had opened an investigation into allegations that Zuma-Sambudla, a Member of Parliament for her father’s Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party, had persuaded 17 men to travel to Russia under false pretences and that they had ended up in the conflict zone in Ukraine without their consent.

Earlier this month, South Africa’s presidency said a request had been made for the safe return of the men, who were reportedly stranded in the Donbas region after being taken there on the promise of well-paid jobs.

Confirming her departure, MK party national chairperson Nkosinathi Nhleko told reporters in Durban that Zuma-Sambudla had stepped down from the National Assembly and all public duties with immediate effect.

However, party officials insisted the move did not amount to an admission of wrongdoing.

Another senior party figure, Magasela Mzobe, said the organisation had found no basis to conclude she was guilty and stressed that the MK party had no involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict or the recruitment allegations.

The party added that Zuma-Sambudla had formally responded to the accusations in a sworn statement to the police.

The allegations were brought by one of her half-sisters, who submitted an affidavit calling for an official investigation.

Police confirmed the case has been transferred to a specialist state security unit to determine possible charges.

South African media reports have linked the MK party to claims that the men were sent to Russia on the pretext of security training.

The conflict, which began with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, has attracted foreign fighters and mercenaries from several countries, including across Africa.

Separately, Zuma-Sambudla is also facing trial over unrelated charges connected to the unrest that swept South Africa in 2021, leaving more than 350 people dead. She has denied any role in inciting the violence.

Her father, Jacob Zuma, was sentenced to 15 months in prison for refusing to testify before a commission investigating corruption and abuse of power during his presidency.

He served just two months before being released on medical grounds, with the remainder of the sentence later officially remitted by President Cyril Ramaphosa.