‘Utterly Wicked’: Anguish and Fury as South Africans Allegedly Tricked into Fighting for Russia

One parent has had no contact with her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the war between Russia and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with anxiety.

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

The young man was among a contingent of 17 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 family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Claims about the individual's role began to surface recently after the national authorities said it was attempting to assist citizens trapped in the war zone. Then, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men.

This claim sent shock waves through the nation, where the broader situation has highlighted the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Statistics show a large portion of young adults are unemployed and not studying.

The men are thought to remain trapped in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their families far from home dread for their lives.

The Initial Contact

Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with the accused through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that contact was made in June 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 bodyguards for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could join a personal development programme, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even obtain Russian citizenship.

Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’”

A Complex Backdrop

Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a fierce defender of her father, who retains significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Russia date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in advocating for stronger alliances with countries often at in conflict with Western powers.

The accused has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. Online, she has made statements showing solidarity to the government in Moscow.

In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of serious offenses related to online posts during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

The Journey to War

The group reportedly met at a major international airport in the summer before flying to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups from July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns.

In the following weeks, 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.”

In late August, the son contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. An agreement linked to another member of the group appears to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been active in the hostilities since its outset.

Official Actions and Family Despair

Recently, the national leadership confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government noted that recruiting for foreign militaries without state authorization is illegal.

The political rift between the two political figures introduces an element of complication to the case. Initially, the contingent included twenty individuals, but three were allowed to return home.

A mid-November call between the accused and families of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Soon thereafter, 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 foreign fighting force.

Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement claiming she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a proper program. “I would not knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her elected role.

The other named recruiters were unavailable for comment. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment.

Broader Implications

Authorities have indicated that hundreds of African nationals are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment.

Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia.

Meanwhile, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to exploit a young person … That constitutes sheer wickedness,” she said. “Promises were made that they would not see combat and she lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”