Daughter of South Africa’s Zuma Sworn Into Parliament, Replacing Half-Sister
JOHANNESBURG — Brumelda Zuma, the daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, was sworn in as a member of parliament on Tuesday, filling a vacancy created weeks ago by the resignation of her half-sister, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla.
The move consolidates the influence of the former president and his newly formed opposition party, uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), within the legislature.
Brumelda Zuma will represent the MK party, which is led by her 82-year-old father. The party made a surprisingly strong showing in this year’s elections, becoming the third-largest in parliament and a significant political force.
Her appointment follows the abrupt resignation of her half-sister, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, who stepped down amid allegations that she had recruited South Africans to fight for Russia in the war against Ukraine. Zuma-Sambudla has publicly denied the allegations.
In her new role, Brumelda Zuma, who holds a degree in public administration, stated her intention to focus on improving public service delivery. “My focus will be on serving the people and addressing the challenges they face daily,” she said upon her swearing-in.
The succession of one family member by another has drawn attention to the Zuma family’s deepening role within the MK party’s parliamentary caucus. Analysts see the move as strengthening Jacob Zuma’s direct grip on the party’s operations within the National Assembly, even though he himself does not hold a seat.
The MK party, named after the former armed wing of the African National Congress (ANC), has positioned itself as a radical opposition force since splitting from the ruling ANC, which Jacob Zuma once led. His daughter’s entry into parliament is seen as a strategic step to ensure loyalists articulate the party’s agenda.
There has been no immediate comment from the outgoing half-sister, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, on her sister’s appointment. The allegations concerning her, which were reported by international news outlets, remain under scrutiny.
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