‘Utterly Wicked’: Anguish and Anger as South Africans Allegedly Deceived into Fighting 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 the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with worry.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, fatigue 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 is an immense struggle.”

The young man was among a contingent of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were tricked into serving with Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is connected with a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Allegations about the individual's involvement began to surface last month after the South African government announced it was attempting to assist nationals trapped in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men.

The accusation sent shock waves through South Africa, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of under-35s are unemployed and not studying.

The men are believed to be trapped in a war they never agreed to join, while their families far from home fear for their lives.

A Fateful Introduction

The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country.

Some of the men were allegedly told they would be instructed to become security personnel for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could enrol on a personal development programme, upon completion they could study abroad and even obtain foreign nationality.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’”

Political Connections

Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a vocal supporter of her parent, who holds significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Moscow date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in pushing for closer relationships with nations often at odds with Western powers.

The accused 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 currently on trial on accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during past unrest. She denies those charges.

From Airport to Battlefield

The group allegedly gathered at a major international airport in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups dated July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease.

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 paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the son contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. A document associated with another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been involved in the war since its beginning.

Official Actions and Family Despair

Recently, the national leadership said it had been contacted by the men and was working to secure their return. The government noted that recruiting for foreign militaries without state authorization is against the law.

The political rift between current and former leaders introduces an element of complexity to the case. Initially, the contingent numbered 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to come back.

A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Soon thereafter, the police report was lodged by another relative, claiming her half-sister and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement claiming she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a proper training course. “Under no circumstances would I 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 comment. A government spokesperson 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 hundreds of African nationals are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment.

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

Meanwhile, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could take a child … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”