‘Utterly Wicked’: Heartbreak and Anger as South Africans Reportedly Tricked into Fighting for Russia

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 war between Russia and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It is an immense struggle.”

Her son was part of a group of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were tricked into fighting for Russian military forces. The purported operation is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface last month after the national authorities announced it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men.

The accusation sent shock waves through the nation, where the broader situation has shone a light on the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of under-35s are not in work or education.

These individuals are thought to remain caught in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their relatives far from home dread for their lives.

A Fateful Introduction

Mary, 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 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 given the impression they could enrol on a personal development programme, after which they could study abroad and even secure foreign nationality.

Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’”

Political Connections

Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a vocal supporter of her parent, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Moscow date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in advocating for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers.

She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. Online, she has shared posts aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow.

In another matter, she is currently on trial on accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

From Airport to Battlefield

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.

In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were separated. A communication explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the son called his mother to say he was being forced to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. A document linked to another member of the group appears to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been active in the war since its beginning.

Official Actions and Family Despair

In early November, the office of the South African president said it had received distress calls the men and was working to secure their return. The government noted that recruiting for external armed forces without official permission is illegal.

A deep rivalry between current and former leaders adds a layer of complication to the situation. Initially, the contingent included twenty individuals, but three were allowed to come back.

A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men allegedly provided no answers. Shortly after, 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 Russian mercenary group.

Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit claiming she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a proper training course. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position.

The other named recruiters could not be reached for comment. An official representative said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to inquiries.

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 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 bewildered and angry. “For someone to exploit a young person … I think that is sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”