‘Utterly Wicked’: Heartbreak and Anger as Citizens Allegedly Deceived into Battling 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 battle lines of the war between Russia and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she said, 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 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 tricked into fighting for Russia. The alleged scheme is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to emerge last month following the South African government announced it was attempting to assist citizens trapped in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report claiming that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men.

The accusation rippled through South Africa, where the wider scandal has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Statistics show a large portion of under-35s are unemployed and not studying.

The men are believed to be caught in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their families thousands of miles away 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 when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was presented as an exciting opportunity in Russia.

Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become security personnel for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could enrol on a self-improvement course, upon completion they could study abroad and even secure foreign nationality.

Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’”

Political Connections

Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a fierce defender of her father, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Moscow date back many years. The former president has been at the forefront in advocating for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers.

The accused has also publicly expressed her backing for Russia. Online, she has made statements aligning herself with the government in Moscow.

Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

The Journey to War

The men reportedly met at a major international airport in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Communication records from online forums dated July and August reportedly show the group's concerns.

In the following weeks, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were separated. A communication clearly read: “We are 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 agree to terms in a language he did not understand. A document associated with another member of the group appears to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been involved in the war since its beginning.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

Recently, the national leadership said it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government noted that recruiting for external armed forces without state authorization is against the law.

The political rift between the two political figures adds a layer of complexity to the situation. Initially, the group included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to return home.

A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men allegedly provided no answers. Shortly after, the police report was filed by another family member, accusing her half-sister and others of luring 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 misled by another recruiter into believing it was a proper training course. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position.

Other individuals were unavailable for comment. An official representative said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment.

A Wider Pattern

Authorities have indicated that hundreds of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment.

In a separate case, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently faced a judge on charges relating to involvement for Russia.

Meanwhile, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”