‘Utterly Wicked’: Heartbreak and Fury as South Africans Reportedly Tricked into Fighting for Russian Forces
A mother has not heard from her son since late August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the battle lines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with anxiety.
“My health is truly suffering,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.”
The young man was part of a group of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in legal filings, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is connected with a daughter 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 trying to help citizens stranded in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men.
The accusation sent shock waves through South Africa, where the wider scandal has highlighted the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Statistics show a large portion of young adults are unemployed and not studying.
These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their families far from home dread for their lives.
A Fateful Introduction
The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to the accused through a relative years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was described as an lucrative prospect in Russia.
Some of the men were allegedly told they would be trained as bodyguards for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could join a personal development programme, after which they could attend a Russian university and even secure foreign nationality.
Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’”
Political Connections
The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her father, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Russia date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in pushing for closer relationships with nations often at odds with Western powers.
The accused has also publicly expressed her support of 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.
From Airport to Battlefield
The men allegedly gathered at a travel hub in the summer before flying to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups from July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease.
In the following weeks, 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. We are not in Russia.”
Towards the month's end, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in Russian. An agreement associated with another member of the group seems to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been active in the hostilities since its beginning.
Government Response and Ongoing Anguish
In early November, the national leadership confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was working to bring them home. The government emphasized that assisting external armed forces without official permission is illegal.
The political rift between the two political figures adds a layer of complexity to the case. Initially, the group included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to come back.
A mid-November call between the accused and relatives of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Shortly after, the formal allegation was filed by another relative, claiming her sibling 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 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.
The other named recruiters could not be reached for comment. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to inquiries.
A Wider Pattern
Authorities have indicated that a significant number of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment.
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.
Meanwhile, Mary continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could take a child … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”
