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

A mother has had no contact with her son since late August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the war between Russia and its neighbor. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with worry.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It’s not easy for me.”

Her son was among a contingent of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russian military forces. The purported operation is linked to a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to surface last month following the South African government announced it was trying to help nationals trapped in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, filed a police report alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men.

This claim rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal has highlighted the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a large portion of young adults are unemployed and not studying.

These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a war they did not sign up for, while their relatives thousands of miles away fear for their lives.

A Fateful Introduction

Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to 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 political party associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could join a self-improvement course, upon completion they could study abroad and even obtain Russian citizenship.

Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the program and it was just so rushed,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’”

A Complex Backdrop

Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a vocal supporter of her father, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Moscow date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in pushing for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers.

She has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. On social media, she has made statements showing solidarity to the government in Moscow.

In another matter, she is currently on trial on accusations of serious offenses related to online posts during past unrest. She denies 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 from July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease.

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 military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”

In late August, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in Russian. An agreement linked to 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

In early November, the office of the South African president said it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government noted that assisting external armed forces without state authorization is against the law.

A deep rivalry between current and former leaders introduces an element of complication to the situation. Initially, the group numbered twenty individuals, but three were allowed to come back.

A mid-November call between the accused and families of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Soon thereafter, the police report was filed by another relative, accusing her sibling and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

Reacting to this, the accused submitted a statement 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.

Other individuals could not be reached for comment. 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

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 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.

Meanwhile, the mother continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … That constitutes sheer wickedness,” she said. “Promises were made that they weren’t going to war and she lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”