- A letter dated 8 September 2026 from Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla to Major General Wally Rhoode surfaced publicly on 15 October 2026
- Duduzile raised concerns about political factionalism within her father, Jacob Zuma's Presidential Protection Unit
- South Africans took to social media to weigh in on the letter, sharing mixed reactions to the concerns raised by Zuma-Sambudla
Source: Getty Images
Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
KWAZULU-NATAL — A formal letter written by Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former President Jacob Zuma, has surfaced publicly, revealing serious concerns about the independence of her father's security detail and the handling of his medical care.
Crime reporter Yusuf Abramjee shared the contents of the letter on X on 15 October 2026. The letter, dated 8 September 2026, was addressed to Major General Wally Rhoode, head of the Presidential Protection Service (PPS) within the South African Police Service.
Allegations of factionalism and kickbacks in the PPU
In the letter, Zuma-Sambudla requests an urgent, independent, and impartial investigation into members of the Presidential Protection Unit.
She specifically alleged political factionalism, improper relationships, collusion, and the receipt of financial inducements or kickbacks by PPU members from MK Party officials. According to the letter, these payments are allegedly used to influence who is granted or denied access to the former president.
She further requested that Major General Rhoode formally clarify the operational protocols governing her father's movements, including who holds authority to schedule or modify his meetings, what advance notice the PPU requires before events, and whether external non-security individuals are improperly influencing security decisions.
She also asked for the immediate removal and replacement of specific PPU members she regards as compromised, offering to identify those officers to Rhoode in person. On the matter of Zuma's health, Zuma-Sambudla requested that the official military and state doctors responsible for his care hold a direct meeting with him.
She wanted those doctors to formally explain the risks involved when unauthorised individuals administer treatments or arrange medical consultations outside the knowledge of his official medical team.
How did South Africans react?
The letter drew significant reaction on social media following its publication. Several users questioned the motives behind the complaint, with some suggesting it reflected a deeper conflict between the Zuma family and MK Party leadership.
@BruceAndil66483 wrote:
"This war between Duduzile and MKP is starting to shape up nicely. Now we wait for MKP to respond. This has nothing to do with PPU but a family feud."
@Mlotshwa_SA offered a different view:
"I may not favour the former president, but the man deserves the same respect as every former head of state."
@blackk_runner commented:
"Let her demand the full investigation so she can find out how little the government cares and how dysfunctional it has become."
@Hillarymupa said:
"The moment Zuma formed a political party, the PPU should have been taken away from him."
@Phutibosh10 wrote:
"The old man must simply retire and stay at his home. He must stop going around dancing as if he is a young man. He will live peacefully."
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla says MK Party is worse since she left
Briefly News reported that Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla broke her silence on the MK Party and her expulsion from it.
She revealed that Nhlamulo Ndhlela's departure as party spokesperson had been discussed for nearly a year before it happened.
Zuma-Sambudla also pushed back on claims that she and Ndhlela were sources of instability within the party.
Source: Briefly News