DURBAN - Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla has resigned as an MP for the MK Party amidst serious allegations. The resignation follows accusations that she recruited 17 South African men, promising them jobs as bodyguards for top MK Party officials, only to have them end up fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war.
The MK Party claims to have no knowledge of the allegations surrounding Zuma-Sambudla. However, the situation has escalated rapidly, drawing in law enforcement and sparking political outrage.
Hawks Investigate, DA Opens Case
The Hawks are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding how the 17 men ended up on the frontlines of the Russia-Ukraine war. Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Cape Town has also laid criminal charges against Zuma-Sambudla, further intensifying the pressure.
Family Speaks Out: Promises of Jobs Turned into War Zone
According to a family member of one of the trapped men, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and her associates, Siphokazi Xuma and Blessing Khoza, allegedly lured the men to Russia with promises of training for bodyguard positions. The family member, who wishes to remain anonymous for safety reasons, stated that the men were told they would be guarding senior executives within the MK Party upon their return to South Africa.
"What is intriguing is that all those who are there have basic firearm training," the family member revealed. "They didn’t want people without firearms basics, which is why their training only took a few weeks." He also mentioned that some of the men have prior experience as bodyguards for prominent figures, including former bodyguards of Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
Criminal Case Filed by Half-Sister
Adding another layer to the drama, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's half-sister, Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, has opened a criminal case against her, along with Xuma and Khoza, at the Sandton police station in Johannesburg. Zuma-Mncube alleges that the three individuals lured the 17 men to Russia under false pretences and handed them over to a Russian mercenary group to fight in Ukraine without their knowledge or consent.
Zuma-Mncube stated that she is related to eight of the 17 men and is urging the South African government to assist in their safe return. The MK Party maintains that the matter is sensitive and should be allowed to unfold legally.
The Legal and Ethical Fallout
This scandal raises serious questions about recruitment practices and the potential exploitation of vulnerable individuals. The investigations by the Hawks and the DA, coupled with the criminal case filed by Zuma-Mncube, will likely shed more light on the events leading to this troubling situation. The resignation of Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla is just the beginning of what promises to be a complex and closely watched legal and political drama in South Africa.