‘Outright Evil’: Anguish and Fury as South Africans Allegedly Tricked into Battling for Russia

One parent has not heard from her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the war between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with worry.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart 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 seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is linked to a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to surface last month after the national authorities said it was attempting to assist citizens trapped in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report alleging that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men.

The accusation rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a large portion of young adults are unemployed and not studying.

These individuals are believed to be trapped in a war they did not sign up for, 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 introduced to the accused through a relative years ago. She stated that contact was made in the middle of the year with what was described as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country.

A portion of the group were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become security personnel for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could join a self-improvement course, after which they could attend a Russian university and even secure Russian citizenship.

Initial wariness eventually gave way to 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, they need to go urgently.’”

A Complex Backdrop

The accused, is known as a vocal supporter of her father, who holds significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Russia date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in advocating for closer relationships with countries often at odds with Western powers.

She has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. Online, she has shared posts aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow.

Separately, she is currently on trial on charges of serious offenses related to online posts during previous riots. She denies those charges.

The Journey to War

The men reportedly met at a major international airport in early July before traveling to Moscow. Communication records from online forums from July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease.

By mid-August, the men started demanding answers 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 forced to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. A document linked to another member of the group seems to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been involved in the war since its outset.

Official Actions and Family Despair

In early November, the national leadership confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was working to bring them home. The government noted that assisting external armed forces without official permission is against the law.

A deep rivalry between the two political figures adds a layer of complexity to the situation. At first, the group included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to return home.

A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Soon thereafter, the police report was lodged by another relative, accusing her half-sister and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla 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 elected role.

Other individuals were unavailable for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment.

Broader Implications

Authorities have indicated that hundreds of citizens from African countries are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about these activities.

In a separate case, five more individuals among them a public figure recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be consumed by fear 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 would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”