‘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 frontlines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with anxiety.

“My health is truly suffering,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.”

The young man was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russia. The alleged scheme is linked to a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about the individual's involvement began to surface recently following the national authorities announced it was trying to help citizens stranded in the war zone. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men.

This claim rippled through the nation, where the broader situation has highlighted the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of young adults are unemployed and not studying.

These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a war they never agreed to join, while their families far from home fear for their lives.

A Fateful Introduction

The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla through a relative years ago. She stated that contact was made in the middle of the year with what was described as an exciting opportunity in Russia.

A portion of the group were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become security personnel for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could join a personal development programme, after which they could study abroad and even secure Russian citizenship.

Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the program and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’”

A Complex Backdrop

Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a vocal supporter of her parent, who holds significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Moscow date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in pushing for closer relationships with countries often at odds with Western powers.

She has also frequently declared her support of Russia. On social media, she has made statements aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow.

Separately, she is currently on trial on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

The Journey to War

The men allegedly gathered at a major international airport in early July before flying to Moscow. Messages from online forums dated July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns.

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

Towards the month's end, the son contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. A document linked to another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been involved in the war since its outset.

Official Actions and Family Despair

Recently, the office of the South African president confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government noted that recruiting for external armed forces without state authorization is against the law.

The political rift between the two political figures adds a layer of complexity to the situation. At first, the group included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to return home.

A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another relative, accusing her sibling and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

Reacting to this, the accused filed her own affidavit claiming she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a proper training course. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position.

Other individuals could not be reached for a statement. An official representative said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to inquiries.

A Wider Pattern

Reports suggest that a significant number of African nationals are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment.

In a separate case, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently faced a judge on charges relating to involvement for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could take a child … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”