🔗 Share this article ‘Utterly Wicked’: Heartbreak and Anger as South Africans Reportedly Tricked into Fighting for Russia A mother has had no contact with her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the war between Russia and its neighbor. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with anxiety. “My health is truly suffering,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. 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 multiple lawsuits, were tricked into fighting for Russian military forces. The purported operation is connected with a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface last month following the South African government announced it was attempting to assist nationals trapped in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint alleging that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men. This claim sent shock waves through South Africa, where the broader situation has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Statistics show a large portion of young adults are not in work or education. These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a war they did not sign up for, while their families far from home dread for their lives. The Initial Contact Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to the accused 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 exciting opportunity in the foreign country. Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could enrol on a personal development programme, after which 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 school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’” A Complex Backdrop Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a vocal supporter of her parent, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Moscow date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in advocating for closer relationships with countries often at in conflict with Western powers. She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. On social media, she has made statements showing solidarity to the government in Moscow. Separately, she is currently on trial on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during past unrest. She denies those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The group reportedly met at a travel hub in the summer before flying to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups dated July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns. By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were separated. A communication clearly read: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” Towards the month's end, the young man called his mother to say he was being forced to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. An agreement associated with another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been active in the hostilities since its beginning. Official Actions and Family Despair In early November, the office of the South African president confirmed 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 the two political figures adds a layer of complexity to the situation. At first, the contingent included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to come back. A subsequent conversation between the accused and families of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Shortly after, the police report was filed by another relative, claiming her half-sister and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. 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 my own family to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role. The other named recruiters were unavailable for comment. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment. Broader Implications Reports suggest that a significant number of citizens from African countries are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment. Unrelated to this incident, 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 full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could take a child … 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?”
A mother has had no contact with her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the war between Russia and its neighbor. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with anxiety. “My health is truly suffering,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. 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 multiple lawsuits, were tricked into fighting for Russian military forces. The purported operation is connected with a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface last month following the South African government announced it was attempting to assist nationals trapped in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint alleging that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men. This claim sent shock waves through South Africa, where the broader situation has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Statistics show a large portion of young adults are not in work or education. These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a war they did not sign up for, while their families far from home dread for their lives. The Initial Contact Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to the accused 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 exciting opportunity in the foreign country. Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could enrol on a personal development programme, after which 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 school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’” A Complex Backdrop Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a vocal supporter of her parent, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Moscow date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in advocating for closer relationships with countries often at in conflict with Western powers. She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. On social media, she has made statements showing solidarity to the government in Moscow. Separately, she is currently on trial on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during past unrest. She denies those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The group reportedly met at a travel hub in the summer before flying to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups dated July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns. By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were separated. A communication clearly read: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” Towards the month's end, the young man called his mother to say he was being forced to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. An agreement associated with another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been active in the hostilities since its beginning. Official Actions and Family Despair In early November, the office of the South African president confirmed 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 the two political figures adds a layer of complexity to the situation. At first, the contingent included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to come back. A subsequent conversation between the accused and families of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Shortly after, the police report was filed by another relative, claiming her half-sister and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. 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 my own family to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role. The other named recruiters were unavailable for comment. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment. Broader Implications Reports suggest that a significant number of citizens from African countries are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment. Unrelated to this incident, 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 full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could take a child … 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?”