‘Utterly Wicked’: Heartbreak and Anger as South Africans Reportedly Deceived into Battling for Russia

A mother has had no contact with her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with worry.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, exhaustion 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.”

Her son was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to legal filings, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is connected with a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface last month after the national authorities said it was trying to help citizens stranded in the war zone. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men.

This claim rippled through South Africa, 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 caught in a war they did not sign up for, while their families far from home dread for their lives.

The Initial Contact

Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with the accused 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 described as an lucrative prospect in Russia.

Some of the men were allegedly told they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a political party led by 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 foreign nationality.

Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’”

A Complex Backdrop

Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a vocal supporter of her father, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Moscow date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in pushing for closer relationships with countries often at odds with Western powers.

She has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. On social media, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow.

Separately, she is currently on trial on charges of serious offenses related to social media activity during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

The Journey to War

The men reportedly met at a major international airport in the summer before flying to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns.

By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. A communication clearly read: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the son called his mother 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 said it had been contacted by the men and was working to bring them home. The government emphasized that assisting external armed forces without official permission is illegal.

A deep rivalry between the two political figures introduces an element of complication to the case. Initially, the contingent included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to come back.

A subsequent conversation between the accused and relatives of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Soon thereafter, the police report was filed by another family member, accusing her half-sister and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

In response, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement claiming she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate training course. “I would not knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role.

The other named recruiters could not be reached for a statement. An official representative said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to inquiries.

Broader Implications

Authorities have indicated that hundreds of citizens from African countries are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment.

Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals including a media personality 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 take a child … That constitutes 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?”