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One of the daughters of ex-president Jacob Zuma has stepped down as a member of parliament, after being alleged of deceiving seventeen citizens into fighting for Russia in Ukraine by convincing them they were going 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 brothers and sisters, volunteered to step down and step back from official duties while working with a law enforcement inquiry and striving to bring the men home, the MK chair, Nkosinathi Nhleko, stated at a press conference in Durban.

Magasela Mzobe, told reporters: “To our knowledge, the departure has got no connection to accepting responsibility or the party holding her accountable,” noting that the political group had not been participated with the group of men 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 alleging 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 motive for her sister’s supposed enlistment in the declaration she made to police.

The accused then submitted an affidavit of her own, claiming she was “a victim of deception, misrepresentation and manipulation” by Khoza after the men were recruited for what she had understood was a authorized security preparation program.

Time in Russia

Zuma-Sambudla said she went to Russia herself for a four weeks of the training, in sections from her statement to police: “I underwent only non-military, supervised exercises. I did not encounter warfare, never deployed.”

She claimed that she had “shared information innocently” with individuals, who then offered to go to Russia themselves. She added: “Under no circumstances would I, intentionally expose my own relatives or any other individual to harm.”

Media Reports

The South African outlet News24 reported it had obtained recordings from several individuals stranded in Ukraine, in which they claimed the former MP convinced them to sign contracts in Russian that they did not comprehend and stated she would remain for twelve months in Russia preparing with them.

Background Information

Zuma, the party leader, was at the press conference but did not address the audience. He has been married six times and currently has four wives and more than 20 children. Polygamy is recognised in South Africa via a regulation governing “customary” marriages.

Zuma was ousted as South Africa’s president in 2018, after being accused of overseeing a era of huge corruption known as “state capture”, claims he has consistently refuted. He established the political group in late 2023, winning 14.6% of the vote in the recent polls.

Ongoing Inquiry

On Tuesday, law enforcement verified they were probing, after obtaining both statements. Zuma-Sambudla did not return calls and messages seeking comment. Khoza and Xuma could not be contacted for comment.

On 6 November the administration of South Africa’s president, the current leader, announced it was investigating how the men became stranded in eastern Ukraine and was making efforts to bring them home, after receiving “urgent appeals for assistance”.

Enlistment Claims

The men “were enticed to join private military groups involved in the Ukraine-Russia war under the pretext of lucrative employment contracts”, it said, stating that citizens were not permitted to support or engage for overseas armies without official approval.

Online Activity

She has consistently shared her support for Russia and its president, the Russian president, 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 father and Putin making a toast, on that date, the day Russia entered Ukraine. Months later, she published: “I Stand With Russia,” alongside pictures of the cultural site in the Russian city, although it was not evident if she had captured the images herself or when they were taken.

International Ties

South Africa’s African National Congress party, which forced Zuma to stand down as president in 2018, has long been close to Russia after the former USSR backed its struggle against segregation. South Africa’s government, whose foreign policy is still guided by the ANC although it is now in a coalition, has avoided from condemning Russia for invading Ukraine. Efforts have been made to portray the nation as a neutral arbiter in the search for a ceasefire agreement.

Legal Proceedings

Zuma-Sambudla is on legal proceedings on charges of provoking unrest in messages on the platform, during deadly riots that broke out in 2021 when her parent was imprisoned for defying judicial orders. She has refuted the claims.