Dudu Zuma, daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, has called for an investigation into allegations that members of her father’s Presidential Protection Unit (PPU) may be receiving kickbacks from senior MK Party officials in exchange for favours, including controlling access to the former head of state.
Africa Daily can exclusively reveal that in a formal complaint to Major General Rhoode dated 8 September, Zuma raised concerns about alleged financial inducements, possible collusion between protection officers and political figures, and the potential manipulation of security arrangements surrounding her father.
She warned that, if proven, the alleged conduct would represent a serious breach of professional integrity and could compromise the safety of the former president.
“There are also allegations that certain PPU members may receive kickbacks, inducements or other benefits from National Officials within the MK Party leadership in return for performing favours, including influencing who is permitted to meet with President Zuma and who is prevented from doing so,” she wrote.
Dudu called for the allegations to be independently investigated and verified, stressing that the protection unit should remain impartial and operate exclusively in the interests of her father’s safety.
She alleged that some people may be prevented from meeting Jacob Zuma not because they pose genuine security threats, but because they are not aligned with particular individuals or networks surrounding him.
“Security protocols must be based upon objective security assessments, not political factionalism, personal preferences, financial inducements or the interests of a particular cabal,” she said.
The complaint also raises concerns about alleged relationships between certain members of the PPU, Zuma’ family ‘s associate, Siphokazi Xuma, and national officials within the MK Party.
Dudu said she feared that elements of the security detail had become too involved in family matters, political disputes and competing interests surrounding the former president.
She argued that the alleged conduct, if substantiated, could allow individuals to use the protection structure to advance their own political or financial interests.
Short-notice meetings under scrutiny
Dudu also questioned the arrangements for meetings involving her father, alleging that some were confirmed at extremely short notice.
She claimed that Xuma sometimes arranged or confirmed meetings approximately an hour before they were due to take place, potentially leaving the protection unit with insufficient time to conduct security assessments.
She asked Rhoode to establish who has authority to arrange or change the former president’s movements, what notice the PPU receives and whether security procedures are consistently followed.
She also called for an investigation into whether people outside the formal security structure were improperly influencing operational decisions.
Dudu indicated that she was prepared to identify officers she believed should be replaced because they were allegedly compromised.
Medical care concerns
The complaint also raises questions about the coordination of Jacob Zuma’s medical care.
Dudu acknowledged her father’s right to seek private treatment but expressed concern that the medical professionals responsible for his care might not always know about medication, injections, supplements or other substances administered outside their supervision.
She requested that the state or military doctors overseeing his care meet with him to explain the importance of disclosing all treatments to his medical team.
She said this would help doctors assess potential interactions, side effects and other medical risks without interfering with his right to make personal healthcare decisions.
Dudu warned that she would seek accountability and a full investigation should anything happen to her father, including answers about his security arrangements and the medical treatment he received.
She called for an independent investigation into the alleged kickbacks, political interference, manipulation of access to the former president and possible failures in security planning.
Speaking to Africa Daily, Rhoode said he will not comment because it is an internal matter. “ No, no, that is an internal thing man , I can’t deal with that thing in the media,” he said.
