One of the daughters of former South African president Jacob Zuma has stepped down as an MP, after being alleged of deceiving 17 South African men into fighting for Russia in Ukraine by convincing them they were travelling to Russia to prepare as security personnel for the Zumas’ uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party.
Stepping Down Statement
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, 43, the most visible and active in politics of her siblings, volunteered to step down and withdraw from official duties while cooperating with a law enforcement inquiry and working to bring the men home, the party chairman, Nkosinathi Nhleko, said at a media briefing in Durban.
Another MK official, told reporters: “As far as we know, the resignation has got nothing to do with accepting responsibility or the organisation holding her accountable,” noting that the political group had not been involved with the group of men who found themselves stranded on the frontline of the war in Ukraine.
Police Reports
On 22 November, a different daughter of Zuma, Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, submitted a legal complaint alleging that her sibling Zuma-Sambudla and two additional individuals, Xuma and Khoza, had recruited the men, comprising several relatives. Zuma-Mncube did not propose a motive for her sister’s alleged recruiting in the statement she made to police.
Zuma-Sambudla then submitted an sworn statement of her own, claiming she was “subjected of deception, false claims and manipulation” by the recruiter after the men were brought in for what she had believed was a authorized security preparation program.
Training Experience
Zuma-Sambudla said she went to Russia herself for a four weeks of the instruction, in sections from her testimony to police: “I experienced only non-combat, supervised exercises. I did not encounter warfare, not assigned to active duty.”
She maintained that she had “provided details innocently” with others, who then offered to go to Russia themselves. She added: “Under no circumstances would I, knowingly endanger my own family or any other person to danger.”
News Coverage
The South African outlet News24 reported it had received videos from several individuals stranded in Ukraine, in which they alleged the former MP persuaded them to sign contracts in the local language that they did not understand and said she would remain for twelve months in Russia training alongside them.
Background Information
Zuma, MK party’s president, was at the press conference but did not address the audience. 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 ousted as South Africa’s president in 2018, after being charged of overseeing a period of significant graft known as “government control”, claims he has consistently refuted. He established the political group in late 2023, winning a significant portion of the vote in the 2024 national elections.
Investigation Status
Earlier this week, police confirmed they were probing, after receiving both affidavits. Zuma-Sambudla did not return calls and messages requesting comment. Khoza and Xuma could not be contacted for comment.
On 6 November the office of South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, said it was investigating how the men became stranded in eastern Ukraine and was working to bring them home, after receiving “distress calls for assistance”.
Recruitment Details
The men “were enticed to join mercenary forces participating in the Ukraine-Russia war under the false promise of lucrative employment contracts”, it said, adding that citizens were not permitted to support or fight for overseas armies without government authorisation.
Social Media Posts
She has repeatedly posted her backing for Russia and its president, the Russian president, on social media. “We Love You Both LOUDLY And UNAPOLOGETICALLY So … I’ll Drink To That” she wrote on X, then Twitter, with a image of her father and Putin celebrating, on 22 February 2022, the day Russia entered Ukraine. Months later, she posted: “I support Russia,” with pictures of the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, although it was not clear 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. South Africa’s government, whose international relations is still controlled by the ANC although it is now in a coalition, has refrained from condemning Russia for entering Ukraine. It has tried to portray the nation as a impartial mediator in the search for a peace deal.
Legal Proceedings
Zuma-Sambudla is on trial on charges of inciting violence in posts on the platform, during deadly riots that erupted in 2021 when her father was sent to jail for contempt of court. She has denied the allegations.
