‘Utterly Wicked’: Heartbreak and Fury as South Africans Reportedly Tricked into Battling for Russian Forces

One parent has not heard from her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.

“My health is truly suffering,” she said, exhaustion 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’s not easy for me.”

Her son was among a contingent of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were tricked into serving with Russia. The alleged scheme is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to surface last month following the national authorities said it was trying to help citizens trapped in Ukraine. Then, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report alleging that several individuals had misled the men.

The accusation rippled through the nation, where the broader situation has shone a light on the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a large portion of young adults are not in work or education.

These individuals are thought to remain caught in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their families far from home fear for their lives.

The Initial Contact

Mary, 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 presented as an lucrative prospect in Russia.

Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could enrol on a personal development programme, after which they could attend a Russian university and even secure foreign nationality.

Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’”

A Complex Backdrop

Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a fierce defender of her father, who holds significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Russia date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in advocating for closer relationships with nations often at odds with Western powers.

The accused has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. Online, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow.

In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of serious offenses related to online posts during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

The Journey to War

The men reportedly met at a travel hub in early July before traveling to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August reportedly show the group's concerns.

By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. A communication explicitly stated: “We are with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the son called his mother to say he was being forced to sign a contract 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 war since its outset.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

Recently, the national leadership said it had received distress calls the men and was working to bring them home. The government noted that assisting foreign militaries without official permission is illegal.

The political rift between the two political figures adds a layer of complication to the case. At first, the contingent included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to return home.

A mid-November call between the accused and relatives of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Soon thereafter, the police report was lodged by another family member, accusing her sibling and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

In response, the accused filed her own affidavit asserting she had been misled by another recruiter 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 resigned from her political position.

The other named recruiters were unavailable for a statement. An official representative said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to requests for comment.

A Wider Pattern

Authorities have indicated that hundreds of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about these activities.

Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals including a media personality recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Meanwhile, the mother continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to exploit a young person … I think that is sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”