‘Outright Evil’: Heartbreak and Anger as South Africans Allegedly Tricked into Battling for Russian Forces

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

“My health is truly suffering,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It is an immense struggle.”

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 tricked into serving with Russia. The purported operation is linked to a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to emerge last month after the national authorities announced it was trying to help citizens stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men.

The accusation sent shock waves through South Africa, where the broader situation has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Statistics show a large portion of under-35s are not in work or education.

These individuals are believed to be trapped in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their relatives thousands of miles away dread for their lives.

A Fateful Introduction

The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with the accused 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.

Some of the men 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 join a personal development programme, after which they could study abroad and even obtain Russian citizenship.

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

A Complex Backdrop

Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a fierce defender of her father, who holds significant sway nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Moscow date back many years. The former president has been a leading figure in advocating for closer relationships with countries often at in conflict with Western powers.

She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. Online, she has shared posts aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow.

Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of serious offenses related to online posts during previous riots. She denies those charges.

From Airport to Battlefield

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

By mid-August, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were separated. One message explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the young man called his mother to say he was being forced to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. An agreement linked to another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been active in the hostilities since its outset.

Official Actions and Family Despair

Recently, the national leadership said it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government emphasized that recruiting for foreign militaries without official permission is against the law.

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

A subsequent conversation between the accused and families of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Shortly after, the police report was filed by another relative, accusing her sibling and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit claiming she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a proper program. “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.

The other named recruiters could not be reached for a statement. 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

Reports suggest that hundreds of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment.

In a separate case, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently appeared in court on charges relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Meanwhile, the mother continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to take a child … I think that is sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”