• Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla resigns from parliament amid allegations of recruiting men to fight in Ukraine.
• 17 South Africans reportedly trapped after being deceived about job opportunities.
• Her resignation is not seen as an admission of guilt, according to party officials.
• An investigation is ongoing into the alleged recruitment activities.
• South African government is working to ensure the safe return of the stranded individuals.

A daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, has resigned from Parliament amid allegations she lured South African men to fight for Russian forces in the Ukraine war. This comes as police investigate claims that 17 individuals were recruited under the pretense of securing lucrative job contracts and training, only to find themselves engaged in conflict, according to South China Morning Post, Al Jazeera, and Africanews.

Zuma-Sambudla's departure from the National Assembly was confirmed on Friday by Nkosinathi Nhleko, chairperson of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, who indicated that her resignation was accepted to support efforts to resolve the situation regarding the South African citizens trapped in Ukraine. He clarified that this decision was not an admission of guilt, echoing sentiments from MK officials that the party is not implicated in the recruitment allegations, as reported by South China Morning Post, Al Jazeera, and Africanews.

According to a police commentary, the investigation was initiated following an affidavit from Zuma-Sambudla's half-sister, who accused her of being involved in the exploitation of the men. This affidavit suggested that they were misled regarding their role and purpose, which led to their current plight in Ukraine's Donbas region, aimed at supporting the Russian military, as highlighted by South China Morning Post, Al Jazeera, and Africanews.

As of early November, the South African government has acknowledged the distress calls from the stranded individuals, and spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed that measures are being taken quietly to facilitate their return. Reports indicate that some of these individuals might be connected to Zuma-Sambudla, creating further political and familial complexities in this developing story, according to South China Morning Post, Al Jazeera, and Africanews.