Duduzile Zuma Sambudla, a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma, has resigned from the National Assembly following allegations linking her to the recruitment of South African men for Russian mercenary operations in the Ukraine war.
Her party, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), announced her resignation on Friday during a press briefing in Durban. Police earlier confirmed that they were investigating claims that the lawmaker allegedly lured 17 South African men to Russia under the guise of lucrative job offers, only for them to be deployed to fight in Ukraine without their knowledge or consent.
In early November, the South African presidency disclosed that it had been requested to intervene to secure the return of the men, who were reportedly stranded in the Donbas region after being misled about the nature of their engagement.
Announcing her resignation, MK Party National Chairperson, Nkosinathi Nhleko, said Zuma Sambudla stepped down from all parliamentary and public representative duties with immediate effect. However, another party official, Magasela Mzobe, insisted that her decision to resign does not amount to an admission of guilt and stressed that the party is not involved in the Ukraine mercenary matter.
The party also disclosed that Zuma Sambudla has responded to the allegations in a formal affidavit to the police. The petition for investigation was reportedly filed by one of her half sisters. Police confirmed that the case has been transferred to a special unit responsible for investigating crimes against the state.
South African media reports alleged that the men were sent to Russia for security training through MK Party linked arrangements, an allegation the party has denied.
Zuma Sambudla is also facing separate trial over charges of inciting the deadly 2021 riots that claimed over 350 lives, to which she has pleaded not guilty.
