‘Utterly Wicked’: Anguish and Anger as Citizens Allegedly Tricked into Fighting for Russian Forces

One parent has had no contact with her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he voiced concern 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, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It’s not easy for me.”

Her son was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russian military forces. The purported operation is connected with a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Allegations about the individual's role began to emerge last month after the national authorities said it was attempting to assist nationals trapped in Ukraine. Then, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, filed a police report alleging that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men.

The accusation sent shock waves through South Africa, where the broader situation has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of under-35s are not in work or education.

The men are believed to be caught in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their relatives thousands of miles away dread for their lives.

The Initial Contact

Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection when her son was still a child. She stated that contact was made in June with what was described as an lucrative prospect 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 join a personal development programme, upon completion they could study abroad and even obtain foreign nationality.

Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the program and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’”

Political Connections

Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a vocal supporter of her father, who holds significant sway nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Russia date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in pushing for closer relationships with nations often at odds with Western powers.

She has also publicly expressed 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 accusations of serious offenses 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 early July before flying to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups dated July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease.

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

In late August, the son contacted his parent to say he was being forced to agree to terms in Russian. A document associated with another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been active in the war since its outset.

Official Actions and Family Despair

In early November, the national leadership said 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 complexity to the case. At first, the contingent included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to return home.

A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was lodged by another family member, accusing her half-sister and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

Reacting to this, the accused submitted a statement claiming she had been misled by an associate into believing it was a proper training course. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role.

The other named recruiters could not be reached for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to inquiries.

A Wider Pattern

Reports suggest that hundreds of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment.

Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans including a media personality recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia.

Meanwhile, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “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 lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”