Zuma's daughter quits amid Ukraine war recruitment claims
Publish date: 01 December 2025
Issue Number: 1154
Diary: IBA Legalbrief Africa
Category: South Africa
Former President Jacob Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, resigned from Parliament on Friday, following allegations that she recruited young South Africans to fight for Russia in the Ukraine war. However, the Mkhonto we Sizwe Party (MKP) has come to her defence, categorically denying the allegations. ‘Her resignation has nothing to do with admission of guilt or the organisation finding her guilty,’ said Magasela Mzobe, head of the party’s presidency. While Zuma-Sambudla resigned as an MP, she remains a member of the MKP, although she would not be involved in any public engagements. News24 says this follows allegations that 18 men, who were expecting bodyguard training, were instead sent to Ukraine’s frontlines. According to Mzobe, Zuma-Sambudla voluntarily approached police to provide an affidavit, without being summoned by authorities. The clarification comes after a two-day meeting during which Zuma-Sambudla provided party officials with a comprehensive report about the stranded fighters. ‘The whole intention of today (Friday) was to solely assure our members and South Africans that we are not in some processes of contributing to the fight in Ukraine, from what we read in the affidavit, neither is Dudu herself guilty of recruiting young South Africans to fight in Ukraine.’ The party acknowledged that distressed families had contacted the leadership about their loved ones’ plight, prompting the comprehensive review. ‘When the party meets with the families, we might have to share with them some details that she shared, which can’t be shared with the media, but are contained in her affidavit to the police,’ Mzobe said.
Family members say the men were recruited in the MKP’s name – and they believe Zuma-Sambudla’s resignation as a MP is a bid to cover up the party’s involvement. One family member told News24 at the weekend: ‘It’s very shocking and I think it’s pretty obvious they’re trying to do damage control and also to protect Jacob Zuma. If they were not involved and they don’t know anything, why is she resigning?’ Zuma wrote a letter in September, on an MKP letterhead, addressed to Russia’s Defence Minister, Andrey Belousov, begging him to have the men moved to a safer location. Diplomatic efforts to have the men returned have also come to nought. Last weekend, Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube laid a complaint of human trafficking against her half sister, Zuma-Sambudla, for her role in the men’s predicament. During the week, Zuma-Sambudla laid a charge of fraud against Blessing Khoza, the man she holds responsible for the men fighting in the war. At the press briefing, the party said the matter should not be ‘politicised’. However, a family member of one of the men said: ‘There is so much proof, including banking accounts and letters that were written by the MKP. In these letters, they used MKP letterheads. (Zuma) himself, when he wrote the letter to Russia, he wrote it under (the) MKP, so it’s shocking now how they (say they are) not involved. Even the communication that Duduzile was using to the men, she was using MKP letterheads. Everything was done through MKP. ...’
News24 reports that five people were arrested on Saturday for the alleged recruitment of SA nationals to join the Russian military. Sources have also revealed that a senior media personality is among those arrested. The arrests followed a tip-off from OR Tambo International Airport police regarding four men travelling to Russia via the UAE. IoL reports that preliminary investigation revealed that an SA female had allegedly been facilitating the travel and recruitment of these individuals into the Russian Federation military,’ the Hawks said. The Hawks also confirmed that search-and-seizure operations were carried out in relation to additional suspects believed to be linked to the facilitation network. Rapport identified the media personality as Dr Nonkululeko Mantula, a senior broadcaster at the SABC. She is the presenter of a morning show on SAFM, co-chairperson of the Association of Brics Journalists and executive head of GSQ Media. Mantula has often travelled to Russia since 2023. The SABC referred media queries to the police.
