- Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla sent a seven-page letter to the head of the Presidential Protection Service raising serious concerns about her father's safety
- The letter alleged that certain protection officers may be receiving financial inducements from MK Party figures in exchange for controlling access to Zuma
- Zuma-Sambudla warned she would hold SAPS legally accountable if a fatal outcome occurred due to security or medical failures
Source: Getty Images
SOUTH AFRICA — Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla has written a formal seven-page letter to Presidential Protection Service (PPS) head Major General Wally Rhoode, calling for an immediate investigation into what she described as serious security breaches, gatekeeping, and unauthorised medical interventions surrounding former President Jacob Zuma.
According to media reports, the letter outlines four broad areas of concern. Zuma-Sambudla alleged that members of Zuma's Presidential Protection Unit (PPU) have overstepped their mandate by becoming involved in family disputes, political gossip, and factional activity within the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party.
Allegations of inducements and medical risks
Among the more serious claims, the letter alleged that certain PPU officers may be receiving financial inducements, kickbacks, or favours from MK Party figures, specifically naming party official Siphokazi Xuma, in exchange for controlling access to the former president.
Zuma-Sambudla further raised concerns that meetings and movements were being arranged at extremely short notice, placing Zuma in unfamiliar locations without the required advance security assessments. On the medical front, the letter alleged that non-medical civilians were facilitating consultations with outside doctors and administering medications or substances without the full knowledge of Zuma's primary healthcare team.
In her closing remarks, Zuma-Sambudla warned Major General Rhoode directly that she would hold the SAPS Presidential Protection Service legally and officially accountable should a fatal outcome result from compromised security or unauthorised medical care.
SAPS and presidency respond
SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said police policy prohibits public commentary on security arrangements for sitting or former heads of state and offered no further details on the complaints raised.
President Cyril Ramaphosa separately acknowledged that Zuma was unwell, confirming that the Military Health Service's Surgeon-General had been assigned to oversee his medical care.
The MK Party, which had previously described Zuma's hospitalisation as routine checks following fatigue from campaign activities, confirmed that the 84-year-old former president has since been discharged from Netcare St Anne's Hospital and returned to his Nkandla homestead.
- Briefly News recently reported that Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla previously faced strong reactions after praising Jacob Zuma’s presidency, with social media users challenging her claims.
- Bonang Matheba and Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla once joined criticism of Fikile Mbalula following the N2 Pongola accident.
- Former MK Party co-founder Jabu Khumalo criticised Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla’s involvement in the party in a viral video.
Source: Briefly News
Authors:
Tags:
Hot: