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

A mother 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 the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with worry.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. 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 multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russia. The purported operation is linked to a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface recently after the South African government announced it was trying to help citizens trapped in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men.

This claim rippled through South Africa, where the wider scandal has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Statistics show a large portion of young adults are unemployed and not studying.

The men are believed to be caught in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their relatives thousands of miles away 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 the middle of the year with what was described as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country.

Some of the men were allegedly told they would be instructed to become 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.

Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the program and it was just so rushed,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’”

A Complex Backdrop

Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a fierce defender of her father, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Russia date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in advocating for closer relationships with countries often at in conflict with Western powers.

She has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. Online, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the government in Moscow.

Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during past unrest. She denies those charges.

From Airport to Battlefield

The men allegedly gathered at a major international airport in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups dated July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease.

By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. A communication clearly read: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the young man called his mother to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in Russian. An agreement associated with another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been involved in the war since its outset.

Official Actions and Family Despair

In early November, the office of the South African president confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was working to secure their return. The government emphasized that assisting foreign militaries without state authorization is against the law.

A deep rivalry between current and former leaders introduces an element of complexity to the case. At first, the group included twenty individuals, but three were allowed to come back.

A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Shortly after, the formal allegation was filed by another family member, accusing her half-sister and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

Reacting to this, the accused filed her own affidavit asserting she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a legitimate program. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts 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. Foreign embassies have not responded to inquiries.

Broader Implications

Reports suggest that a significant number of African nationals are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment.

In a separate case, five more individuals 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 worried sick and bewildered and angry. “For someone to take a child … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”