‘Outright Evil’: Anguish and Fury as Citizens Reportedly Deceived into Fighting for Russia

A mother has had no contact with her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the battle lines of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.”

The young man was part of a group of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is connected with a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to emerge last month following the national authorities announced it was trying to help nationals trapped in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men.

This claim sent shock waves through the nation, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Statistics show a large portion of young adults are unemployed and not studying.

The men are believed to be caught in a war they did not sign up for, while their relatives far from home fear for their lives.

A Fateful Introduction

The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla through a relative years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was described as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country.

A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be instructed to become security personnel for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could join a self-improvement course, after which they could attend a Russian university and even secure Russian citizenship.

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

A Complex Backdrop

The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her father, who retains significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Moscow date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in advocating for closer relationships with countries often at odds with Western powers.

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

In another matter, she is currently on trial on charges of serious offenses related to online posts during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

From Airport to Battlefield

The group reportedly met at a major international airport in early July before traveling to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups from July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease.

By mid-August, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were being split up. One message explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”

In late August, the young man contacted his parent 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 involved in the hostilities since its beginning.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

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

A deep rivalry between current and former leaders adds a layer of complexity to the situation. At first, the group included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to return home.

A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another relative, claiming her half-sister and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

Reacting to this, the accused submitted a statement claiming she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a proper 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 were unavailable for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to inquiries.

A Wider Pattern

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

Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals including a media personality recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Meanwhile, the mother continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to 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. What kind of person does that?”