‘Outright Evil’: Heartbreak and Anger as Citizens Reportedly Tricked 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 frontlines of the ongoing conflict between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with anxiety.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, 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, as stated in legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russia. The alleged scheme is connected with a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to surface recently after the national authorities said it was trying to help citizens stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint alleging that several individuals had misled the men.

The accusation rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of under-35s are not in work or education.

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

The Initial Contact

The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that contact was made in June with what was described as an exciting opportunity in Russia.

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 allegedly told they could enrol on a personal development programme, after which they could attend a Russian university and even secure Russian citizenship.

Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the program and it was just so rushed,” she said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’”

A Complex Backdrop

The accused, has long been a vocal supporter of her father, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Russia date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in pushing for stronger alliances with countries often at odds with Western powers.

The accused has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. On social media, she has made statements showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow.

Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of serious offenses related to online posts during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

From Airport to Battlefield

The group reportedly met at a travel hub in early July before traveling to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups from July and August reportedly show the group's concerns.

By mid-August, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. One message clearly read: “We are with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”

In late August, the young man called his mother to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. A document linked to another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been involved in the hostilities since its outset.

Official Actions and Family Despair

Recently, the office of the South African president said it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government noted that recruiting for external armed forces without official permission is illegal.

The political rift between the two political figures adds a layer of complication to the situation. At first, the group included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to come back.

A subsequent conversation between the accused and relatives of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Soon thereafter, the police report was lodged by another relative, accusing her sibling and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement asserting she had been misled 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.

The other named recruiters could not be reached for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to inquiries.

A Wider Pattern

Reports suggest that a significant number of African nationals are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment.

In a separate case, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently faced a judge on charges relating to involvement for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, Mary 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 weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”