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Zuma's daughter takes parliamentary seat
Brumelda Zuma, daughter of South Africa's former President Jacob Zuma, was sworn in as a member of parliament on Wednesday, joining the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party led by her father.
Her appointment comes less than two weeks after her half-sister, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, resigned from parliament following allegations that she deceived 17 South African men into fighting as mercenaries for Russia in Ukraine.
Family representation in focus
Brumelda Zuma's entry into parliament underscores Jacob Zuma's apparent strategy to maintain family influence in national politics. She was sworn in alongside three other MK members, whom the party described as bringing "a wealth of experience and dedication" to their roles.
In a brief statement, Brumelda Zuma said her priority would be improving public services, aligning with her academic background in public administration. Unlike her half-sister, she has not previously held a high-profile national position.
Scandal overshadows half-sister's resignation
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla stepped down after being accused of luring 17 men to Russia under false pretenses, where they were allegedly handed over to a mercenary group in Ukraine's Donbas region. She has denied the allegations, claiming she believed the men were traveling for lawful training.
The men, aged between 20 and 39, remain stranded in the conflict zone. South Africa's government confirmed receiving distress calls from several of them.
"She tricked them into going to Russia and then handed them over to a mercenary outfit without their knowledge or consent."
Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, half-sister and accuser
Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, another half-sister, filed a criminal complaint against Zuma-Sambudla and two others, alleging the men were deceived. Eight of the trapped individuals are her relatives, she said. Police have launched an investigation into the matter.
Under South African law, fighting as a mercenary or for a foreign military without government approval is illegal.
Legal troubles and political context
Zuma-Sambudla is also facing terrorism-related charges for social media posts linked to deadly protests in 2021. She has pleaded not guilty to those accusations.
Jacob Zuma founded the MK party in 2023 following a bitter fallout with current President Cyril Ramaphosa. The party secured third place in last year's general election and became the official opposition after the second-largest party joined Ramaphosa's coalition government.
What's next
The police investigation into the mercenary recruitment allegations continues, while Brumelda Zuma begins her parliamentary duties. MK's role as the opposition party is expected to intensify as South Africa navigates economic and social challenges.
