Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma, has resigned from parliament amid allegations she recruited 17 South Africans to fight for Russia in Ukraine.

She stepped down voluntarily from her role in the Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) opposition party, with her resignation effective immediately.

MK officials denied any involvement in the alleged recruitment and emphasized her resignation does not imply guilt, though they pledged support for the families of those stranded in Ukraine.

South African authorities are investigating how the men ended up in Ukraine’s Donbas region after being lured under false job promises, CNN has reported.

The case comes amid reports that over 1,400 Africans are fighting with Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting Kyiv to warn countries to caution their citizens.