Cape Town, South Africa — Brumelda Zuma, daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, was sworn in as a Member of Parliament (MP) on Wednesday, stepping into the seat vacated by her half-sister Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla amid a high-profile political controversy.
Brumelda took her oath of office on 10 December 2025, representing the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, the main opposition party founded and led by her father after his split from the ruling African National Congress (ANC).
Her appointment follows the resignation of Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla on 28 November 2025, who stepped down from Parliament and all party structures amid allegations relating to the recruitment of at least 17 South African men who ended up fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war—a claim she denies.
MK party leadership said the resignation was accepted and that Zuma-Sambudla would focus on cooperating with authorities and assisting families of the men involved, though the party maintained it was not complicit in the recruitment.
Brumelda Zuma, who holds a degree in public administration, addressed the media following her swearing-in, saying her priorities will centre on improving public services—reflecting her academic background and commitment to service delivery.
“Good public services—those are what I studied for, and that is what I intend to help deliver for South Africans,” Brumelda said, according to her party’s statement.
Her elevation to Parliament underscores an effort by former President Zuma to retain family representation within the party’s parliamentary caucus, especially at a time when the MK party is navigating leadership changes and national scrutiny. Brumelda was sworn in alongside three other MK representatives, with party officials praising the new cohort for bringing “a wealth of experience and dedication” to the legislature.
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla’s resignation and the surrounding allegations have drawn national attention in South Africa, with political figures across the spectrum calling for transparent investigations. Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has said that if the allegations against Zuma-Sambudla are proven, she should face legal consequences.
The situation has also highlighted divisions within the Zuma family, with another sister, Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, filing a criminal complaint against Zuma-Sambudla in connection with the case involving the 17 South African men who were reportedly misled into travelling to Russia.
Brumelda’s entry into Parliament comes as the MK party seeks to consolidate its position as a major opposition force in the National Assembly following the 2024 elections, where it secured parliamentary representation and became the official opposition after the Democratic Alliance joined the governing coalition.
