‘Utterly Wicked’: Anguish and Fury as South Africans Allegedly Deceived into Fighting for Russia

One parent has had no contact with her son since late August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the war between Russia and its neighbor. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with worry.

“My health is truly suffering,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart 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 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface recently following the national authorities said it was attempting to assist nationals trapped in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, 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 wider scandal has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a large portion of young adults are not in work or education.

The men are thought to remain caught in a war they did not sign up for, while their relatives far from home 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 the middle of the year with what was described as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country.

A portion of the group were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could join a self-improvement course, upon completion they could study abroad and even secure Russian citizenship.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the school and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’”

A Complex Backdrop

The accused, is known as a fierce defender of her father, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Moscow date back many years. The former president has been at the forefront in pushing for stronger alliances with nations often at in conflict 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.

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

From Airport to Battlefield

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

In the following weeks, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, stating they were being split up. A communication clearly read: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in Russian. A document associated with another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been active in the hostilities since its outset.

Official Actions and Family Despair

Recently, the office of the South African president confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was working to bring them home. The government noted that assisting external armed forces without official permission is against the law.

The political rift between current and former leaders adds a layer of complication to the case. At first, the contingent numbered twenty individuals, but three were allowed to return home.

A subsequent conversation between the accused and relatives of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another family member, claiming her sibling and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

In response, the accused filed her own affidavit claiming she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a proper training course. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her elected role.

Other individuals could not be reached for a statement. An official representative said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to requests for comment.

A Wider Pattern

Reports suggest that hundreds of African nationals are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about these activities.

Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently faced a judge on charges relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to exploit a young person … I think that is sheer wickedness,” she said. “Promises were made that they weren’t going to war and she lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”