‘Utterly Wicked’: Anguish and Fury as Citizens Allegedly Deceived into Fighting for Russian Forces

A mother has had no contact with her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being sent to the battle lines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with worry.

“My health is truly suffering,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.”

Her son was among a contingent of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russia. The purported operation 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 following the national authorities said it was trying to help 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.

The accusation rippled through the nation, where the broader situation has highlighted the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Statistics show a large portion of under-35s are not in work or education.

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

A Fateful Introduction

Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with the accused via a family connection years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was presented as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country.

Some of the men were allegedly told they would be trained as bodyguards for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could enrol on a personal development programme, after which they could attend a Russian university and even obtain Russian citizenship.

Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the program and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’”

Political Connections

Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a vocal supporter of her parent, who retains significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Moscow date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in pushing for stronger alliances with nations often at in conflict with Western powers.

She has also publicly expressed her backing for Russia. On social media, she has made statements aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow.

Separately, she is currently on trial on accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

From Airport to Battlefield

The group allegedly gathered at a travel hub 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 began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. A communication explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in 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 appears to be a contract with a designated force that has been active in the hostilities since its outset.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

In early November, the office of the South African president confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government emphasized that assisting external armed forces without official permission is illegal.

The political rift between current and former leaders adds a layer of complexity to the situation. At first, the contingent numbered twenty individuals, but three were allowed to come back.

A mid-November call between the accused and relatives of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Soon thereafter, the police report was lodged by another relative, accusing her half-sister and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

Reacting to this, the accused submitted a statement asserting she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position.

Other individuals could not be reached for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment.

A Wider Pattern

Authorities have indicated that hundreds of African nationals are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about these activities.

In a separate case, five more individuals among them a public figure recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia.

Meanwhile, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could take a child … I think that is outright evil,” 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?”