‘Utterly Wicked’: Heartbreak and Fury as Citizens Allegedly Tricked into Battling for Russia

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 the Russian Federation 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 suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.”

The young man was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in legal filings, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russia. The alleged scheme is linked to a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to emerge recently after the South African government said it was attempting to assist nationals trapped in the war zone. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report claiming that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men.

This claim rippled through the nation, where the broader situation has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of under-35s are not in work or education.

The men 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 introduced to Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was described as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country.

Some of the men were allegedly told they would be instructed to become security personnel for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could enrol on a self-improvement course, after which they could study abroad and even secure Russian citizenship.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’”

Political Connections

Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a vocal supporter of her parent, who retains significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Russia date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in pushing for stronger alliances with countries often at odds with Western powers.

She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. Online, she has made statements aligning herself with the government in Moscow.

In another matter, she is currently on trial on charges of serious offenses related to social media activity during previous riots. She denies those charges.

The Journey to War

The group allegedly gathered at a major international airport in early July before flying to Moscow. Messages from online forums dated July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease.

By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, stating they were being split up. One message explicitly stated: “We are with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

In late August, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in Russian. A document linked to another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been involved in the war since its beginning.

Official Actions and Family Despair

In early November, the national leadership said it had received distress calls the men and was working to bring them home. The government emphasized that recruiting for external armed forces without state authorization is against the law.

A deep rivalry between current and former leaders introduces an element of complexity to the case. Initially, the contingent included twenty individuals, but three were allowed to return home.

A mid-November call between the accused and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was lodged by another family member, accusing her sibling and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

In response, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit asserting she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate training course. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her elected role.

Other individuals could not be reached for comment. An official representative said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment.

Broader Implications

Reports suggest that hundreds of African nationals are serving with Moscow's military 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 faced a judge on charges relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Meanwhile, Mary continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “For someone to exploit a young person … I think that is sheer wickedness,” she said. “Promises were made that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”