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

One parent has had no contact with her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. 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, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.”

The young man was among a contingent of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were tricked into serving with Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is connected with a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface recently after the South African government said it was trying to help nationals trapped in the war zone. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men.

The accusation rippled through South Africa, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Statistics show a large portion of under-35s are unemployed and not studying.

The men are thought to remain trapped in a war they never agreed to join, while their relatives thousands of miles away dread for their lives.

The Initial Contact

The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with the accused via a family connection 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 exciting opportunity 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 allegedly told they could join a self-improvement course, after which they could study abroad and even secure Russian citizenship.

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

Political Connections

Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a vocal supporter of her father, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Russia date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in pushing for closer relationships with nations often at in conflict with Western powers.

The accused has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. Online, she has made statements showing solidarity to the government in Moscow.

In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of serious offenses related to social media activity 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 traveling to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease.

By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were separated. A communication clearly read: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the son called his mother to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in Russian. An agreement associated with another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been involved in the hostilities since its beginning.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

In early November, the national leadership confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government noted that recruiting for external armed forces without official permission is against the law.

A deep rivalry between current and former leaders adds a layer of complexity to the case. Initially, the contingent numbered 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to come back.

A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men allegedly provided no answers. Soon thereafter, the police report was filed by another relative, claiming her sibling and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

In response, the accused submitted a statement asserting she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a proper program. “I would not knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role.

The other named recruiters were unavailable for comment. An official representative said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to requests for comment.

A Wider Pattern

Authorities have indicated that a significant number of African nationals are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about these activities.

Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals among them a public figure recently faced a judge on charges relating to involvement for Russia.

Meanwhile, the mother continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … That constitutes sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”