‘Outright Evil’: Heartbreak and Fury as Citizens Reportedly Tricked into Fighting for Russia

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

“My health is truly suffering,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, 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 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were tricked into serving with Russian military forces. The purported operation is connected with a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to emerge recently following the South African government announced it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in the war zone. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report claiming that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men.

The accusation sent shock waves through South Africa, where the wider scandal has highlighted the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a large portion of under-35s are not in work or education.

The men are thought to remain trapped in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their relatives thousands of miles away fear for their lives.

The Initial Contact

Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country.

Some of the men were allegedly told they would be trained as bodyguards for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could enrol on a personal development programme, after which they could study abroad and even obtain foreign nationality.

Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the school 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, is known as a fierce defender of her parent, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Moscow date back decades. 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 backing for Russia. Online, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the government in Moscow.

Separately, she is currently on trial on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during previous riots. She denies those charges.

The Journey to War

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

In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were being split up. A communication explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not 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 specific military unit that has been involved in the war since its outset.

Official Actions and Family Despair

Recently, the national leadership confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government emphasized that recruiting for foreign militaries without official permission is against the law.

The political rift between the two political figures adds a layer of complication to the case. Initially, the group included 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to return home.

A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was lodged by another family member, claiming her half-sister and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

Reacting to this, the accused filed her own affidavit asserting she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate program. “Under no circumstances would I 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 update” on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to inquiries.

Broader Implications

Reports suggest that hundreds of African nationals are fighting alongside Russian forces 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 appeared in court on charges relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Meanwhile, the mother continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”