One of the daughters of ex-president Jacob Zuma has resigned as an MP, after being alleged of deceiving 17 South African men into serving for Russia in Ukraine by convincing them they were travelling to Russia to prepare as security personnel for the Zumas’ uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party.
Resignation Announcement
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, 43, prominently involved in political activities of her siblings, volunteered to step down and withdraw from public roles while cooperating with a police investigation and striving to bring the men home, the party chairman, Nkosinathi Nhleko, stated at a media briefing in Durban.
Magasela Mzobe, told reporters: “As far as we know, the departure has got nothing to do with accepting responsibility or the party finding her guilty,” adding that MK party had not been involved with the individuals who found themselves stranded on the frontline of the war in Ukraine.
Legal Allegations
Late last month, a different daughter of Zuma, Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, submitted a legal complaint claiming that her sister Zuma-Sambudla and two others, Xuma and Khoza, had recruited the men, including eight of their family members. Zuma-Mncube did not suggest a reason for her sister’s alleged recruiting in the statement she made to police.
The accused then filed an affidavit of her own, asserting she was “subjected of deception, misrepresentation and manipulation” by Khoza after the men were brought in for what she had understood was a legitimate paramilitary training course.
Time in Russia
Zuma-Sambudla said she went to Russia herself for a month of the training, in sections from her statement to police: “I experienced only non-combat, controlled activities. I did not encounter warfare, never deployed.”
She maintained that she had “provided details innocently” with others, who then offered to go to Russia themselves. She continued: “Under no circumstances would I, intentionally endanger my own family or any other person to harm.”
Media Reports
The South African outlet the media organization reported it had received recordings from several individuals trapped in Ukraine, in which they claimed the former MP persuaded them to agree to terms in Russian that they did not understand and said she would remain for twelve months in Russia training alongside them.
Background Information
Jacob Zuma, MK party’s president, was at the media event but did not speak. The 83-year-old has been wed on multiple occasions and presently has multiple spouses and more than 20 children. Polygamy is recognised in South Africa via a law governing “traditional” marriages.
Zuma was removed as South Africa’s president in 2018, after being accused of overseeing a period of significant graft known as “government control”, allegations he has consistently refuted. He founded the political group in December 2023, winning a significant portion of the vote in the recent polls.
Ongoing Inquiry
Earlier this week, police confirmed they were probing, after obtaining both statements. Zuma-Sambudla did not return calls and communications requesting comment. Khoza and Xuma could not be reached for comment.
On 6 November the administration of South Africa’s president, the current leader, announced it was examining how the men became stranded in the conflict region and was working to bring them home, after receiving “urgent appeals for assistance”.
Recruitment Details
The men “were enticed to join mercenary forces participating in the ongoing conflict under the false promise of lucrative employment contracts”, it noted, adding that South Africans were not allowed to support or engage for overseas armies without official approval.
Online Activity
Zuma-Sambudla has consistently shared her backing for Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin, on social media. “Our support is vocal and unwavering … I celebrate this” she wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, with a photo of her parent and Putin celebrating, on 22 February 2022, the day Russia entered Ukraine. In May, she posted: “I Stand With Russia,” alongside photos of the Hermitage Museum in the Russian city, although it was not evident if she had taken the photos herself or the timing.
International Ties
South Africa’s African National Congress party, which pressured Zuma to stand down as president in 2018, has long been allied to Russia after the former USSR supported its struggle against segregation. The administration, whose foreign policy is still guided by the party although it is now in a partnership, has refrained from condemning Russia for invading Ukraine. Efforts have been made to present itself as a impartial mediator in the search for a ceasefire agreement.
Legal Proceedings
The individual is on legal proceedings on charges of inciting violence in messages on X, during fatal protests that erupted in 2021 when her father was sent to jail for defying judicial orders. She has refuted the allegations.
