‘Utterly Wicked’: Anguish 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. 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.

“My health is truly suffering,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.”

Her son was part of a group of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is linked to a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Claims about the individual's role began to surface last month after the South African government announced it was trying to help nationals trapped in the war zone. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint alleging that several individuals had misled the men.

The accusation sent shock waves through South Africa, where the wider scandal has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Statistics show a substantial percentage of under-35s are unemployed and not studying.

These individuals are thought to remain caught in a war they never agreed to join, while their families far from home dread 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 when her son was still a child. She stated that contact was made in the middle of the year with what was described as an lucrative prospect in Russia.

Some of the men were allegedly told they would be trained as 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 attend a Russian university and even obtain foreign nationality.

Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” she 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 considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Russia date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in pushing for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers.

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

In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

The Journey to War

The men reportedly met at a major international airport in the summer before flying to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August reportedly show the group's concerns.

In the following weeks, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were separated. One message clearly read: “We have been placed with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the young man called his mother to say he was being forced to agree to terms in Russian. A document associated with another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been involved in the war since its beginning.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

In early November, the national leadership said it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government emphasized that recruiting for external armed forces without state authorization is illegal.

A deep rivalry between the two political figures adds a layer of complexity to the case. At first, the contingent included twenty individuals, but three were allowed to return home.

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

In response, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement asserting she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a proper program. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her elected role.

Other individuals could not be reached for comment. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment.

Broader Implications

Authorities have indicated that hundreds of African nationals are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment.

In a separate case, five more individuals including a media personality 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 lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”