Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, has resigned from her position as a lawmaker in the National Assembly, effective immediately. This decision comes amid growing controversy surrounding allegations that she played a role in recruiting South African men to fight for Russia in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Zuma-Sambudla, who had been a member of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party since June 2024, tendered her resignation as the party faces scrutiny over its involvement in the matter. According to Nkosinathi Nhleko, the MK Party’s national chairman, Zuma-Sambudla has declared her full cooperation with the ongoing investigations by relevant authorities. The party’s leadership has accepted her decision to step down from all public representative duties.

Magasela Mzobe, the head of the MK Party’s presidency, emphasized that Zuma-Sambudla’s resignation should not be seen as an admission of guilt. He stated that her decision to resign is a demonstration of her commitment to allowing the country to resolve the issue of bringing home the young South African men who are reportedly trapped in Ukraine. The men, aged 20 to 39, had been deceived into believing they were traveling to Russia for lucrative jobs and security training, only to find themselves drawn into the conflict in the eastern Donbas region.

The South African government confirmed earlier this month that 17 of its citizens had issued distress calls, claiming they were trapped in the conflict zone. An affidavit submitted by Zuma-Sambudla’s half-sister alleged that the men had been misled into traveling to Russia, where they were subsequently recruited to fight in Ukraine. The incident has sparked concerns about the recruitment of foreign fighters in the conflict and the need for governments to take action to protect their citizens.

As the investigation into the matter continues, Zuma-Sambudla’s resignation is seen as a significant development. The MK Party’s decision to accept her resignation and cooperate with the authorities underscores the seriousness with which the issue is being treated. The South African government is likely to face further scrutiny over its handling of the situation, particularly in relation to the safety and well-being of its citizens who may have been affected by the alleged recruitment efforts.