‘Outright Evil’: Anguish and Fury as Citizens Reportedly Tricked into Fighting for Russian Forces
A mother has not heard from her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the battle lines of the ongoing conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.
“I’m honestly really sick,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.”
Her son was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were tricked into fighting for Russian military forces. The purported operation is connected with a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma.
A Political Bombshell
Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to surface recently following the South African government said it was trying to help citizens trapped in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report alleging that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men.
The accusation rippled through the nation, where the broader situation has highlighted the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Statistics show a substantial percentage of young adults are unemployed and not studying.
The men are thought to remain caught in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their relatives thousands of miles away dread for their lives.
A Fateful Introduction
The mother, 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.
A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could join a self-improvement course, after which they could attend a Russian university and even secure foreign nationality.
Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’”
A Complex Backdrop
Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a fierce defender of her parent, who retains significant sway nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Russia date back decades. The former president has been a leading figure in pushing for closer relationships with countries often at in conflict with Western powers.
The accused has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. On social media, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the government in Moscow.
Separately, she is currently on trial on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during past unrest. She denies those charges.
The Journey to War
The group reportedly met at a major international airport in the summer before flying to Moscow. Messages from online forums dated July and August reportedly show the group's concerns.
In the following weeks, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, stating they were being split up. One message clearly read: “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 sign a contract in Russian. A document associated with another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been active 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 attempting to bring them home. The government noted that recruiting for foreign militaries without official permission is against the law.
The political rift between the two political figures adds a layer of complication to the case. Initially, the contingent included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to return home.
A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Shortly after, the police report was filed by another family member, accusing her sibling and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.
Reacting to this, the accused filed her own affidavit asserting she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a legitimate program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her elected role.
The other named recruiters could not be reached for comment. An official representative said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to requests for comment.
A Wider Pattern
Reports suggest that a significant number of citizens from African countries are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about these activities.
Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently faced a judge on charges relating to involvement for Russia.
Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … That constitutes 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?”