Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema says Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla should face legal consequences if allegations that she helped lure 17 South African men into fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war are proven true.
Zuma-Sambudla recently resigned as a Member of Parliament after serious claims emerged that she recruited the men under false pretences. According to reports, the group was allegedly told they were travelling to Russia for bodyguard training linked to her father’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party — not for deployment to an active war zone.
Her own sister has reportedly opened a case against her, but Zuma-Sambudla has not yet been arrested or formally charged. Malema said the allegations must be handled through proper legal channels.
“If she’s engaged in illegality, the law must take its own course, and she must be held accountable. Until then, let’s not be driven by excitement,” he said.
Malema urged the public to allow law-enforcement agencies, including the police and the Hawks, the space and time needed to complete their investigations. He also acknowledged his personal relationship with Zuma-Sambudla.
“I saw people opening cases against her, and I’m very conflicted because Duduzile is my friend, so maybe the SG should have responded to this one,” he added.
In a separate but similar case, five people have already been arrested — including two suspects accused of recruiting three young men to fight on the Russian frontline. That matter is currently before the courts.