Zuma-Sambudla resigns from Parliament amid trafficking scandal

November 28, 2025 25

The MK Party’s Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla has resigned as a Member of Parliament.

Her resignation comes as she faces public scrutiny over allegations linking her to the trafficking of 17 young South African men who are now stranded in war-torn Ukraine.

This follows a criminal case opened at the Sandton Police Station by former President Jacob Zuma’s other daughter, Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, against Zuma-Sambudla, Siphokazi Xuma and Blessing Khoza.

Earlier this month, government received a call from distressed South Africans who said they were taken to the Ukraine conflict zone, under the guise of a job opportunity, only to be forced into mercenary work.

Zuma-Sambudla, who has been accused of involvement in the trafficking scheme, has since opened a counter-case against alleged military recruiter Rhulani Khoza, claiming she was misled.

Speaking at a media briefing earlier today, MK party’s head of Presidency, Magasela Mzobe, said Zuma-Sambudla stepped down voluntarily. He also denied claims that the party played any role in the recruitment of the young men.

“We want to assure our members and South Africans that as an organisation, we are not in some process of contributing to the fight in Ukraine. From what we’ve read in the affidavit, Dudu herself is not in the process of recruiting young South Africans to go fight in Ukraine,” Mzobe said.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered an investigation into how the men — most of them from KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape — were recruited and taken to the war zone.

Meanwhile, Zuma-Sambudla is also currently on trial in the Durban High Court over the July 2021 unrest, facing charges of terrorism and incitement.

The MK Party held a press briefing today on the Ukraine/Russia matter, addressing the nation with clarity, courage, and conviction. It was also announced that Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla has resigned from the National Assembly. As we enter this new chapter, the movement remains… pic.twitter.com/ViVNlxKpgx

— uMkhonto WeSizwe Party (Official) (@MkhontoweSizwex) November 28, 2025