‘Utterly Wicked’: Anguish and Anger as South Africans Allegedly Deceived into Battling for Russian Forces

One parent has not heard from her son since late August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the frontlines of the war between Russia and its neighbor. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.

“My health is truly suffering,” she said, fatigue 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 is an immense struggle.”

Her son was part of a group of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in legal filings, were tricked into fighting for Russia. The purported operation is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Claims about the individual's involvement began to surface recently after the national authorities announced it was trying to help nationals trapped in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, filed a police report alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men.

The accusation rippled through South Africa, where the broader situation has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a large portion of young adults are not in work or education.

These individuals are believed to be trapped in a war they did not sign up for, while their relatives far from home dread for their lives.

A Fateful Introduction

Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with the accused via a family connection when her son was still a child. She stated that contact was made in June with what was presented as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country.

Some of the men were reportedly promised 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, upon completion they could study abroad and even secure foreign nationality.

Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’”

A Complex Backdrop

The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her father, who holds significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Moscow date back many years. The former president has been at the forefront in pushing for closer relationships with countries often at odds with Western powers.

The accused has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. Online, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow.

In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

The Journey to War

The group allegedly gathered at a travel hub in the summer before flying to Moscow. Communication records from online forums from July and August reportedly show 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 are with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”

In late August, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in Russian. An agreement associated with another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been active in the hostilities since its beginning.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

Recently, the office of the South African president confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government emphasized that recruiting for foreign militaries without official permission is against the law.

A deep rivalry between current and former leaders introduces an element of complication to the case. At first, the group numbered 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to come back.

A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Soon thereafter, the police report was lodged by another relative, accusing her half-sister and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit asserting she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a proper program. “I would not knowingly expose my own family 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 new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment.

Broader Implications

Authorities have indicated that a significant number of citizens from African countries are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about these activities.

Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Meanwhile, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could take a child … That constitutes sheer wickedness,” she said. “Promises were made that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”