‘Outright Evil’: Heartbreak and Fury as South Africans Allegedly Tricked into Fighting for Russian Forces

A mother has not heard from her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the frontlines of the war between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. Since that day, 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 overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.”

Her son was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were tricked into serving with Russia. The alleged scheme is connected with a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface last month following the South African government announced it was trying to help citizens stranded in the war zone. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men.

This claim rippled through South Africa, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Statistics show a large portion of under-35s are unemployed and not studying.

The men are thought to remain caught in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their relatives thousands of miles away fear for their lives.

The Initial Contact

Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla 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 the foreign country.

A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be trained as bodyguards for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could join a personal development programme, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even obtain foreign nationality.

Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the school and it was just so rushed,” she said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’”

Political Connections

Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a fierce defender of her father, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Russia date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in advocating for stronger alliances 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 leadership in Moscow.

In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of serious offenses related to social media activity during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

From Airport to Battlefield

The men reportedly met at a travel hub in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns.

In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were being split up. A communication clearly read: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

In late August, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being forced to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. A document associated with another member of the group seems to be a contract with a designated force that has been involved in the war since its beginning.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

Recently, the national leadership said it had been contacted by the men and was working to bring them home. The government emphasized that assisting foreign militaries without official permission is against the law.

The political rift between current and former leaders adds a layer of complexity to the situation. Initially, the group included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to come back.

A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men allegedly provided no answers. Shortly after, the formal allegation was filed by another relative, accusing her sibling and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

In response, the accused filed her own affidavit claiming she had been misled by an associate into believing it was a legitimate program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position.

Other individuals were unavailable for a statement. An official representative said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to inquiries.

A Wider Pattern

Authorities have indicated that hundreds of African nationals are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls 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. “For someone to exploit a young person … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”