‘Utterly Wicked’: Heartbreak and Fury as South Africans Reportedly Deceived into Battling for Russia
A mother has not heard from her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the war between Russia and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.
“My health is truly suffering,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.”
The young man was part of a group of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russia. The purported operation is connected with a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma.
A Political Bombshell
Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to emerge recently after the South African government announced it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men.
The accusation sent shock waves through the nation, where the broader situation has highlighted 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 thought to remain caught in a war they never agreed to join, while their families far from home fear for their lives.
The Initial Contact
Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla through a relative years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was described as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country.
A portion of the group were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become security personnel for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could join a self-improvement course, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even obtain Russian citizenship.
Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the school and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’”
A Complex Backdrop
The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her father, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Russia date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in advocating for stronger alliances with countries often at odds with Western powers.
The accused has also frequently declared her support of Russia. Online, she has made statements showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow.
In another matter, she is currently on trial on charges of serious offenses related to social media activity during past unrest. She denies those charges.
From Airport to Battlefield
The group reportedly met at a major international airport in early July before flying to Moscow. Communication records from online forums from July and August reportedly show the group's concerns.
By mid-August, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were separated. One message explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”
Towards the month's end, the son called his mother to say he was being forced to agree to terms in Russian. An agreement 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 office of the South African president said 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 illegal.
A deep rivalry between current and former leaders adds a layer of complexity to the situation. At first, the group numbered 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to return home.
A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was filed by another family member, claiming her sibling and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.
In response, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement claiming she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a proper training course. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position.
The other named recruiters were unavailable for comment. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to inquiries.
A Wider Pattern
Authorities have indicated that hundreds of citizens from African countries are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about these activities.
Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals including a media personality recently faced a judge on charges relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.
Meanwhile, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could take a child … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”