‘Utterly Wicked’: Anguish and Fury as South Africans Allegedly Tricked into Battling for Russia

One parent has had no contact with her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he voiced concern that he was being sent to the battle lines of the war between Russia and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with worry.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.”

The young man was part of a group of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in legal filings, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russia. The purported operation is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Claims about the individual's involvement began to emerge recently after the South African government said it was trying to help citizens trapped in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men.

The accusation sent shock waves through the nation, where the broader situation has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a large portion of under-35s are not in work or education.

The men are thought to remain trapped in a war they never agreed to join, while their families thousands of miles away dread for their lives.

A Fateful Introduction

Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was described as an lucrative prospect in Russia.

A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be trained as bodyguards for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could enrol on a personal development programme, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even obtain foreign nationality.

Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’”

A Complex Backdrop

Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a fierce defender of her parent, who holds significant sway nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Russia date back decades. The former president has been a leading figure in pushing for closer relationships with countries often at odds with Western powers.

The accused has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. On social media, she has made statements showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow.

In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of serious offenses related to social media activity during past unrest. She denies those charges.

The Journey to War

The group reportedly met at a travel hub in early July before traveling to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups dated July and August reportedly show the group's concerns.

By mid-August, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were being split up. One message explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the young man called his mother to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. 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 hostilities since its beginning.

Official Actions and Family Despair

Recently, the office of the South African president confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government emphasized that assisting external armed forces without official permission is against the law.

The political rift between the two political figures adds a layer of complication to the situation. At first, the group numbered twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to come back.

A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Shortly after, the police report was filed by another relative, claiming her sibling and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

In response, the accused filed her own affidavit asserting she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a legitimate program. “I would not knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position.

Other individuals could not be reached for comment. An official representative said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to inquiries.

Broader Implications

Reports suggest that hundreds of African nationals are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about these activities.

Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals among them a public figure recently faced a judge on charges relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Meanwhile, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “For someone to take a child … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”