‘Outright Evil’: Anguish and Anger as South Africans Allegedly 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 battle lines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and its neighbor. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.

“My health is truly suffering,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.”

Her son was part of a group of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in legal filings, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is linked to a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface recently after the national authorities announced it was trying to help citizens stranded in Ukraine. Then, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men.

This claim rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a large portion of under-35s are not in work or education.

These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their relatives far from home dread for their lives.

A Fateful Introduction

The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to the accused 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 lucrative prospect in Russia.

Some of the men were allegedly told 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 attend a Russian university and even obtain foreign nationality.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’”

A Complex Backdrop

The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties 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 in conflict with Western powers.

She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. On social media, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow.

In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

The Journey to War

The men allegedly gathered at a major international airport in early July before flying to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease.

In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. One message explicitly stated: “We are with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being forced to sign a contract in Russian. A document linked to another member of the group seems to be a contract with a designated force that has been active 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 assisting external armed forces without official permission is against the law.

A deep rivalry between current and former leaders introduces an element of complication to the case. At first, the contingent included 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to come back.

A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was filed by another relative, claiming her sibling and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

In response, the accused filed her own affidavit asserting she had been misled by an associate into believing it was a legitimate program. “I would not knowingly expose anyone 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 a statement. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to inquiries.

A Wider Pattern

Reports suggest that a significant number of citizens from African countries are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about these activities.

Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans including a media personality recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … I think that is sheer wickedness,” she said. “Promises were made that they weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”