Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla has resigned as a member of Parliament for the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party amid allegations of human trafficking.
The MK Party announced during a media briefing in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal on Friday.
Zuma-Sambudla is accused of recruiting 17 South African men to fight in the Ukraine-Russia war.
The MK Party National Chairperson, Nathi Nhleko, said the party supports Zuma-Sambudla’s decision to resign, and they will support her efforts to ensure that these South African men trapped in the war are brought back safely.
“Zuma-Sambudla confirmed the contents of an affidavit deposed with the police. She has declared her full cooperation with the ongoing investigation by relevant authorities, as a consequence of which she has handed in her resignation from the National Assembly and all public representative responsibilities with immediate effect,” Nhleko said.
However, the party distances itself from this matter and denies any involvement.
The MK Party’s Head of Presidency, Magesela Mzobe, clarified that Zuma-Sambudla’s decision to resign was voluntary and has nothing to do with an admission of guilt or the organisation finding her guilty.
“Comrade Dudu was never forced to resign. She volunteered because she wanted to focus on helping families return their loved ones. She submitted her resignation today because she could not do so without taking the leadership into confidence and getting permission,” Mzobe said.
TRAFFICKING ALLEGATIONS AGAINST ZUMA-SAMBUDLA
The eldest daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, Nkosazana Bonganini Zuma-Mncube, has filed a criminal case against her sister at Sandton Police Station in Gauteng on 22 November 2025.
She accused Zuma-Sambudla of being involved in luring South Africans to fight for Russia.
However, Zuma-Sambudla has denied all allegations against her regarding the trafficking charges.
“Driven by my moral obligation, I have opened a criminal case against Ms Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, Ms Siphokazi Xuma and Mr Blessing Khoza,” she said in a statement.
Zuma-Mncube claimed eight of her family members are among the men requesting assistance from the South African government.
These men have reportedly been in contact with their families, asking to be rescued.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has also laid criminal charges against Zuma-Sambudla.
The DA’s spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans, Chris Hattingh, revealed that the party received evidence showing 100 WhatsApp messages allegedly from a group administered by Zuma-Sambudla.
According to the DA, these messages appear to show coordination in luring at least 22 men to Russia under the guise of security training and promises of Russian or Canadian citizenship.
“This scandal raises profound foreign policy concerns. South Africa has strict prohibitions on mercenary recruitment, yet Defence Intelligence and DIRCO remained publicly silent until today despite indications that both the Presidency and former President Jacob Zuma were aware of the situation,” Hattingh said.
