‘Utterly Wicked’: Heartbreak and Anger as South Africans Reportedly Deceived into Battling for Russia

A mother has had no contact with her son since late August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with worry.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It’s not easy for me.”

The young man was part of a group of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in legal filings, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is linked to a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to emerge recently following the South African government said it was trying to help citizens stranded in the war zone. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint claiming that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men.

This claim sent shock waves through the nation, where the broader situation has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Statistics show a substantial percentage of young adults are unemployed and not studying.

The men are thought to remain caught in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their families thousands of miles away fear for their lives.

A Fateful Introduction

The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla through a relative years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was described as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country.

A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be trained as security personnel for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could enrol on a personal development programme, after which they could study abroad and even secure Russian citizenship.

Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’”

Political Connections

Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a fierce defender of her father, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Russia date back decades. The former president has been a leading figure in advocating for closer relationships with nations often at odds with Western powers.

She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. On social media, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow.

In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of serious offenses related to online posts during past unrest. She denies those charges.

The Journey to War

The group reportedly met at a major international airport in the summer before flying to Moscow. Communication records from online forums from July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease.

By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, stating they were separated. One message explicitly stated: “We are with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being forced to sign a contract in Russian. An agreement associated with another member of the group appears to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been active in the war since its outset.

Official Actions and Family Despair

Recently, the office of the South African president confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was working to bring them home. The government noted that recruiting for external armed forces without official permission is illegal.

The political rift between current and former leaders introduces an element of complexity to the situation. At first, the contingent numbered twenty individuals, but three were allowed to return home.

A mid-November call between the accused and families of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Soon thereafter, the police report was lodged by another relative, claiming her sibling and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement claiming she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate training course. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role.

Other individuals were unavailable for comment. An official representative said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to requests for comment.

A Wider Pattern

Reports suggest that a significant number of citizens from African countries are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about these activities.

In a separate case, several other South Africans including a media personality recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”