Brumelda Zuma, a daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, was sworn in as a lawmaker Wednesday, filling the parliamentary seat left vacant by her half-sister who resigned amid allegations of recruiting South Africans to fight as mercenaries in Ukraine.
The rapid family succession highlights the continued grip the Zuma name holds over the opposition uMkhonto weSizwe party, known as MK, which the 83-year-old ex-president founded less than two years ago.
Brumelda Zuma, who holds a public administration qualifications, took the oath in Cape Town alongside three other new MK lawmakers. Speaking briefly to reporters afterward, she said her priority would be improving public services — “that’s what I studied.”
Unlike her half-sister Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, who had a higher profile and previously served in the country in the Pan-African Parliament, Brumelda Zuma has stayed largely out of the national spotlight until now.
Resignation linked to Ukraine mercenary claims
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla stepped down last week after accusations that she helped lure at least 17 South African men, aged 20 to 39, to Russia under false pretenses and then handed them over to fight with Russian forces in Ukraine’s Donbas region.
The men have since sent distress messages to South African authorities, saying they are trapped in the war zone. South African law prohibits citizens from joining foreign armed forces without government permission.
A criminal complaint was lodged by another half-sister, Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, who says eight of the men are her relatives. Police have confirmed they are investigating.
Zuma-Sambudla has denied wrongdoing, stating in court papers that she believed the men were traveling to Russia only for training. MK described her resignation as voluntary so she could focus on securing the men’s safe return.
She is separately standing trial on terrorism-related charges over social media posts made during the violent 2021 riots that followed Jacob Zuma’s imprisonment. She has pleaded not guilty.
MK’s rise and the Zuma factor
Jacob Zuma launched MK in late 2023 after a bitter split with the ruling African National Congress and President Cyril Ramaphosa. The new party stunned observers by finishing third in the 2024 national election with nearly 15% of the vote, making it the official opposition in parliament after the Economic Freedom Fighters joined Ramaphosa’s coalition government.
The swift replacement of one Zuma daughter with another has reignited debate over political dynasties in South Africa. Critics call it blatant nepotism; supporters say the family’s long history in the liberation struggle justifies its continued role.
For now, Brumelda Zuma takes her seat as the investigation into the Ukraine recruitment scandal continues and MK pushes its populist agenda from the opposition benches.
