‘Outright Evil’: Heartbreak and Anger as South Africans Reportedly Deceived into Battling for Russian Forces

One parent has not heard from her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern 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 worry.

“My health is truly suffering,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It’s not easy for me.”

Her son was part of a group of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in legal filings, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is connected with a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface last month after the national authorities said 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.

The accusation sent shock waves through the nation, where the wider scandal has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Statistics show a substantial percentage of under-35s are not in work or education.

These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their families far from home dread for their lives.

The Initial Contact

The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with the accused via a family connection years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in Russia.

A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be instructed to become security personnel for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could enrol on a personal development programme, after which they could attend a Russian university and even secure foreign nationality.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the program and it was just so rushed,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’”

Political Connections

Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a vocal supporter of her father, who holds significant sway nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Moscow date back many years. The former president has been a leading figure in advocating for closer relationships with countries often at odds with Western powers.

The accused has also publicly expressed her backing for Russia. On social media, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow.

Separately, she is currently on trial on accusations of serious offenses related to online posts during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

From Airport to Battlefield

The men allegedly gathered at a major international airport in the summer before flying to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups dated July and August reportedly show the group's concerns.

In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. One message clearly read: “We have been placed 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 forced to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. An agreement linked to another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been involved 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 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 complexity to the case. Initially, the group numbered twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to return home.

A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Soon thereafter, the police report was lodged by another relative, accusing her sibling and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

Reacting to this, the accused submitted a statement claiming she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a proper training course. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role.

Other individuals were unavailable for comment. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to inquiries.

A Wider Pattern

Reports suggest that hundreds of citizens from African countries are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment.

Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals among them a public figure recently appeared in court on charges relating to involvement for Russia.

Meanwhile, the mother continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could 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 betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”