‘Utterly Wicked’: Anguish and Anger as South Africans Reportedly Tricked into Fighting for Russian Forces

A mother has had no contact with her son since late August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the battle lines of the ongoing conflict between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.

“My health is truly suffering,” she stated, exhaustion 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 is an immense struggle.”

The young man was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is linked to a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Claims about the individual's involvement began to surface recently following the South African government announced it was trying to help citizens trapped in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men.

The accusation rippled 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 not in work or education.

The men are believed to be trapped in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their families thousands of miles away fear for their lives.

The Initial Contact

Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla through a relative years ago. She stated that contact was made in June with what was described as an lucrative prospect in Russia.

A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be instructed to become security personnel for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could enrol on a personal development programme, upon completion they could study abroad and even secure Russian citizenship.

Early hesitation 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 need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’”

Political Connections

Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a vocal supporter of her father, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Russia date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in pushing for closer relationships with nations often at in conflict with Western powers.

She has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. On social media, she has shared posts aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow.

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

From Airport to Battlefield

The men reportedly met at a major international airport in early July before flying to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups from July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns.

In the following weeks, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, stating they were separated. 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 contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in Russian. An agreement associated with another member of the group seems to be a contract with a designated force that has been active in the hostilities since its beginning.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

In early November, the national leadership said it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government emphasized that assisting external armed forces without state authorization is illegal.

A deep rivalry between the two political figures adds a layer of complication to the situation. Initially, the group included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to return home.

A mid-November call between the accused and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another family member, accusing her half-sister and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

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

Other individuals were unavailable for comment. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to inquiries.

A Wider Pattern

Authorities have indicated that a significant number of African nationals are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations 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.

Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to exploit a young person … That constitutes sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”