‘Utterly Wicked’: Heartbreak and Anger as Citizens Reportedly Deceived into Battling for Russia

A mother has had no contact with her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with anxiety.

“My health is truly suffering,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It is an immense struggle.”

Her son was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russia. The alleged scheme is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface recently after the national authorities said it was trying to help citizens trapped in the war zone. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men.

This claim rippled through South Africa, where the wider scandal has highlighted the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Statistics show a large portion of young adults are not in work or education.

The men are believed to be trapped in a war they did not sign up for, while their families far from home dread for their lives.

A Fateful Introduction

The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to the accused through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was described as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country.

A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be trained as security personnel for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could enrol on a self-improvement course, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even obtain Russian citizenship.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’”

Political Connections

The accused, is known as a vocal supporter of her father, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Moscow date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in advocating for closer relationships with nations often at odds with Western powers.

She 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 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 group's concerns.

By mid-August, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were being split up. One message explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

In late August, the son called his mother to say he was being forced to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. A document associated with another member of the group seems to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been active in the hostilities since its outset.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

In early November, the national leadership said it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government emphasized that recruiting for 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. Initially, the group numbered 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to come back.

A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men allegedly provided no answers. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was lodged by another relative, accusing her half-sister and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

In response, the accused filed her own affidavit claiming she had been misled by an associate into believing it was a proper program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone 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. Foreign embassies have not responded to requests for comment.

Broader Implications

Reports suggest that hundreds of African nationals are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment.

In a separate case, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently appeared in court on charges relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Meanwhile, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “For someone to exploit a young person … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”