Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma, has resigned from her parliamentary seat following allegations that she played a role in sending 17 South African men to Russia under misleading circumstances, only for them to end up fighting in Ukraine.
Her departure from the National Assembly and all public positions was confirmed by the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, which she represents.
Party officials were quick to stress that the resignation is not an acknowledgment of wrongdoing.
MK national organiser Nathi Nhleko told reporters, "The national officials have accepted comrade Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's decision to resign and support her efforts to ensure that these young South Africans are brought back safely to their families."
Magasela Mzobe, another MK official, added: “As far as we know, the resignation has got nothing to do with admission of guilt or the organisation finding her guilty.” He further clarified that the MK party was not involved in recruiting the men who later found themselves on the Ukrainian frontlines.
The controversy erupted after Zuma-Sambudla’s half-sister, Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, lodged a police complaint on November 22. In the complaint, she accused Duduzile and two associates, Siphokazi Xuma and Blessing Khoza, of misleading the men to travel to Russia for what was said to be bodyguard training for MK.
Reports indicate that eight of the men were relatives of the accused. Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube did not explain a motive behind the alleged actions.
Responding to the allegations, Zuma-Sambudla submitted an affidavit claiming she was “a victim of deception, misrepresentation and manipulation” by Khoza, asserting that she had believed the training was legitimate.
She said she had “shared information innocently” and insisted that she would never knowingly expose anyone, including family members, to danger.
News24 obtained video messages from some of the men stranded in Ukraine. They described being convinced to sign contracts written in Russian, which they could not understand.
The men also said Zuma-Sambudla had told them she would spend a year in Russia training alongside them.
Authorities confirmed they are investigating both affidavits as part of the ongoing inquiry. Zuma-Sambudla attended the MK press briefing announcing her resignation but chose not to speak publicly.
