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

A mother has not heard from her son since late August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the war between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with worry.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.”

Her son was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russia. The purported operation is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface last month following the national authorities said it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men.

This claim rippled through the nation, where the broader situation has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a large portion of young adults are unemployed and not studying.

The men 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.

The Initial Contact

Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to the accused via a family connection years ago. She stated that contact was made in June with what was described as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country.

Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be trained as bodyguards for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could enrol on a personal development programme, upon completion they could study abroad and even secure foreign nationality.

Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the program and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’”

A Complex Backdrop

Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a fierce defender of her parent, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Russia date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in advocating for stronger alliances with countries often at in conflict with Western powers.

She has also frequently declared her support of Russia. On social media, she has made statements aligning herself with the government in Moscow.

Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of serious offenses related to social media activity during past unrest. She denies those charges.

From Airport to Battlefield

The men reportedly met at a major international airport in early July before flying to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups from July and August reportedly show the group's concerns.

In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. One message explicitly stated: “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 forced to agree to terms in Russian. An agreement linked to another member of the group appears to be a contract with a designated force that has been involved in the hostilities since its outset.

Official Actions and Family Despair

In early November, the national leadership confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government noted that recruiting for external armed forces without state authorization is against the law.

The political rift between the two political figures introduces an element of complexity to the case. Initially, the group numbered twenty individuals, but three were allowed to return home.

A mid-November call between the accused and relatives of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another relative, claiming her sibling and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

In response, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit asserting she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a proper program. “I would not knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position.

The other named recruiters were unavailable for comment. An official representative said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to inquiries.

Broader Implications

Authorities have indicated that a significant number of African nationals are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment.

Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans including a media personality recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, Mary 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. “Promises were made that they weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”