Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla Quits Parliament Amid Allegations of Luring SA Men to Fight for Russia in Ukraine

Zuma's Daughter Resigns from Parliament Amidst Russia Recruitment Allegations

Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, has stepped down from her parliamentary role amidst serious allegations. Her resignation comes as she faces accusations of allegedly enticing 17 South African men to join Russian forces fighting in Ukraine.

Voluntary Resignation Confirmed by MK Party

Zuma-Sambudla, who served as a lawmaker for the Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) opposition party led by her father, resigned voluntarily, according to party officials. Her departure from the National Assembly and all other public positions was effective immediately, the party confirmed on Friday. This move comes at a sensitive time, highlighting growing international concerns about the involvement of African citizens in the conflict.

Party Denies Involvement, Pledges Support for Families

Nathi Nhleko, the national organiser for the MK party, addressed reporters, clarifying that the party itself was not involved in recruiting men for Russia. He emphasized that Zuma-Sambudla's resignation should not be construed as an admission of guilt. However, Nhleko stated that the MK party would offer support to the families of the men reportedly stuck in Ukraine, indicating a commitment to their safe return. “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,” he said.

Silence from Zuma-Sambudla as Investigations Deepen

Although present at the press conference, Zuma-Sambudla refrained from speaking and has yet to publicly address the accusations, which were notably brought forward by her half-sister. The South African government has already acknowledged the plight of 17 of its citizens, confirming earlier this month that they were stranded in Ukraine's Donbas region. These individuals were reportedly deceived into fighting for mercenary groups under the false promise of lucrative employment.

Broader Context: African Citizens in Ukraine Conflict

The government has initiated efforts to repatriate its citizens and is actively investigating the circumstances that led to their involvement. Adding to the gravity of the situation, police announced on Sunday that they would be investigating Zuma-Sambudla, following a formal request for a probe into her and two other individuals accused of complicity.

This incident unfolds against a broader backdrop, as Kyiv's foreign minister revealed this month that over 1,400 citizens from 36 African nations are currently fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. The minister urged countries to proactively warn their citizens against such recruitment.