By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla has resigned as Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party Member of Parliament amid allegations of her role in recruiting and trafficking young South African men into the Russian war zone.
This was revealed at a uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) Party media briefing in Durban on Friday morning.
The national chairperson Nkosinathi Nhleko said, the party itself is not involved in the matter.
“Comrade Dudu was never forced to resign. She volunteered to resign because she wanted to focus on helping the families return their loved ones,” said Nhleko.
He added that her resignation is not an admission of guilt or a result of any organisation finding her guilty.
Zuma-Sambudla will fully cooperate with the state’s investigations into the deployment of the party members and, according to Nhleko, has resigned as a disciplined member of the party.
Responding to questions of how MK’s party involvement in the South Africans being trapped in the Ukraine will affect its numbers at the next local government elections, the chairperson said this should not be turned into a political matter.
“There are families involved; these are human beings.” He added that MK Party has enough campaign material to ensure success for the upcoming elections, despite the widely publicised issue.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) laid charges against Zuma-Sambudla for trafficking, saying 19 men remain in Russia, including the 17 South Africans, now in dangerous spots.
DA MP Chris Hattingh said that the charges followed new evidence received by the party that includes around 100 WhatsApp messages from a group allegedly administered by Zuma-Sambudla.
“These messages show clear coordination in luring at least 22 men to Russia under the guise of ‘personal development’, ‘security training’, and even promises of Russian or Canadian citizenship,” he said.
South Africa’s ambassador to Russia is involved, confirming “prominent South Africans” misled the men. Diplomatic efforts aim to bring them home safely, but the war zone makes it tricky.
On Monday, 24 November, Zuma-Sambudla’s sister, Nkosazana Bonganini Zuma-Mncube, opened a criminal case against her for her alleged involvement in recruiting 17 men who are now trapped in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Her affidavit alleged that Zuma-Sambudla, alongside Siphokazi Xuma and Blessing Khoza, were “lured to Russia without their knowledge or consent.”
South African Police Service spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that an enquiry docket was registered for Zuma-Mncube’s charges and has been handed over to the Hawks.
In addition, Zuma-Sambudla is currently facing trial in the Durban High Court over the July 2021 unrest. Her charges include terrorism and inciting violence.
The violent protests began on 9 July 2021 after Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in prison on 29 June by the Constitutional Court for failing to appear before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into State Capture.
This resulted in the deaths of 337 people, over 3,400 arrests and over 3,000 stores looted. The extent of the damage was worth R50 billion.
Meanwhile MK Party win in Mandeni by-elections, means the ANC loses its outright majority. It falls from 18 seats to 17 seats, and is one short of an outright majority in the 35-seat council.