‘Utterly Wicked’: Anguish and Fury as South Africans Reportedly Deceived into Battling for Russian Forces

A mother has had no contact with her son since late August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with worry.

“My health is truly suffering,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.”

The young man was among a contingent of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russia. The purported operation is linked to a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Claims about the individual's role began to emerge last month after the national authorities said it was attempting to assist citizens trapped in the war zone. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report claiming that several individuals had misled the men.

The accusation rippled through South Africa, where the broader situation has highlighted the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Statistics show a substantial percentage 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 thousands of miles away dread for their lives.

The Initial Contact

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

Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be trained as bodyguards for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could join a self-improvement course, after which they could study abroad and even secure Russian citizenship.

Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the program and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’”

A Complex Backdrop

Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a fierce defender of her parent, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Russia date back many years. The former president has been at the forefront in advocating for stronger alliances with nations often at in conflict with Western powers.

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

In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of serious offenses related to social media activity during previous riots. She denies those charges.

The Journey to War

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

By mid-August, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. A communication explicitly stated: “We are with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the young man called his mother to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. A document associated with another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been active in the war since its beginning.

Official Actions and Family Despair

Recently, the national leadership said it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government emphasized that assisting foreign militaries without official permission is illegal.

The political rift between the two political figures introduces an element of complication to the case. Initially, the group included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to come back.

A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was filed by another relative, claiming her half-sister and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

In response, the accused submitted a statement claiming she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a proper training course. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her elected role.

Other individuals were unavailable for a statement. An official representative said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to inquiries.

Broader Implications

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 alert their populations about such recruitment.

Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia.

Meanwhile, the mother continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “For someone to take a child … That constitutes sheer wickedness,” she said. “Promises were made that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”