‘Utterly Wicked’: Anguish and Anger as South Africans Allegedly Deceived into Fighting for Russia

A mother has had no contact with her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with worry.

“My health is truly suffering,” she stated, 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.”

Her son was among a contingent of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russian military forces. The purported operation is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to surface recently after the South African government said it was attempting to assist nationals stranded in Ukraine. Then, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men.

This claim rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Statistics show a substantial percentage of young adults are not in work or education.

The men are believed to be trapped in a war they never agreed to join, while their families far from home fear for their lives.

A Fateful Introduction

The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla 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 trained as security personnel for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could join a self-improvement course, upon completion they could study abroad and even secure foreign nationality.

Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the school and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’”

Political Connections

Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a vocal supporter of her father, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Moscow date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in pushing for closer relationships with nations often at odds with Western powers.

She has also frequently declared her support of Russia. On social media, she has made statements showing solidarity to the government in Moscow.

Separately, she is facing legal proceedings 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 allegedly gathered at a major international airport in early July before traveling to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease.

In the following weeks, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were separated. A communication explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the young man called his mother to say he was being forced to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. An agreement associated with another member of the group appears to be a contract with a designated force that has been active in the war since its outset.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

Recently, the office of the South African president confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was working to secure their return. The government emphasized that assisting external armed forces without official permission is against the law.

A deep rivalry between the two political figures introduces an element of complication to the case. Initially, the group included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to return home.

A mid-November call between the accused and families of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was lodged by another family member, 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 claiming she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a proper training course. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts 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 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 fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about these activities.

In a separate case, several other South Africans including a media personality recently appeared in court on charges relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could take a child … I think that is sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”