‘Outright Evil’: Anguish and Anger as Citizens Reportedly Tricked into Fighting for Russian Forces
A mother has not heard from her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with worry.
“I’m honestly really sick,” she said, 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 is an immense struggle.”
Her son was part of a group of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to legal filings, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russia. The purported operation is connected with a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma.
A Startling Allegation
Claims about the individual's role began to emerge recently after the national authorities said it was attempting to assist nationals trapped in Ukraine. Then, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that several individuals had misled the men.
This claim rippled through South Africa, where the wider scandal has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a large portion of young adults are unemployed and not studying.
The men are thought to remain caught in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their families thousands of miles away dread for their lives.
The Initial Contact
Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla 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 lucrative prospect in the foreign country.
A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be trained as security personnel for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could enrol on a personal development programme, after which they could attend a Russian university and even secure foreign nationality.
Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’”
Political Connections
The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who retains significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures 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.
The accused has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. Online, she has made statements showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow.
Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of serious offenses related to social media activity during previous riots. She denies those charges.
From Airport to Battlefield
The group reportedly met at a major international airport in early July before traveling 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 contacts, stating they were separated. One message clearly read: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”
In late August, the son contacted his parent to say he was being forced to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. A document associated with another member of the group seems to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been active in the war since its beginning.
Government Response and Ongoing Anguish
In early November, the national leadership said it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government noted that assisting foreign militaries without state authorization is illegal.
A deep rivalry between the two political figures introduces an element of complication to the situation. At first, the group included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to come back.
A mid-November call between the accused and relatives of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Soon thereafter, the police report was filed by another family member, claiming her sibling and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.
In response, 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 stepped down from her elected role.
Other individuals could not be reached for comment. An official representative said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to requests for comment.
A Wider Pattern
Authorities have indicated that a significant number of citizens from African countries are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment.
In a separate case, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently faced a judge on similar allegations 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 outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”