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

A mother has not heard from her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the ongoing conflict between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with anxiety.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.”

The young man was part of a group of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russia. The purported operation is connected with a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface recently after the South African government said it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in Ukraine. Then, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, filed a police report alleging that several individuals had misled the men.

This claim sent shock waves through South Africa, where the broader situation has highlighted the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a large portion of under-35s are not in work or education.

The men are thought to remain caught in a war they never agreed to join, while their relatives far from home fear for their lives.

The Initial Contact

The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with the accused via a family connection years ago. She stated that contact was made in the middle of the year with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country.

Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become security personnel for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could join a self-improvement course, after which they could study abroad and even secure Russian citizenship.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’”

Political Connections

Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a fierce defender of her father, who retains significant sway nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Moscow date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in advocating for stronger alliances with countries often at odds with Western powers.

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

In another matter, she is currently on trial on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during past unrest. She denies those charges.

The Journey to War

The group reportedly met at a major international airport in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups dated July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease.

By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, stating they were being split up. One message clearly read: “We are 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 linked to another member of the group appears to be a contract with a designated force that has been active in the hostilities since its beginning.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

Recently, the office of the South African president confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was working to secure their return. The government emphasized that recruiting for external armed forces without official permission is against the law.

The political rift between the two political figures introduces an element of complexity to the case. At first, the group numbered twenty individuals, but three were allowed to come back.

A mid-November call between the accused and relatives of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Soon thereafter, the police report was filed by another relative, claiming her half-sister and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement claiming she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position.

The other named recruiters were unavailable for comment. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to inquiries.

Broader Implications

Authorities have indicated that a significant number of citizens from African countries are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment.

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

Meanwhile, Mary continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could take a child … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”