‘Utterly Wicked’: Anguish and Fury as Citizens Reportedly Deceived into Fighting for Russian Forces

One parent has not heard from her son since late August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being sent to the battle lines of the war between Russia and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with worry.

“My health is truly suffering,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, 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 Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russian military forces. 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 role began to emerge last month after the South African government said it was trying to help nationals trapped in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men.

This claim rippled through South Africa, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of under-35s are unemployed and not studying.

The men are believed to be caught in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their families thousands of miles away dread for their lives.

The Initial Contact

The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to the accused 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 Russia.

Some of the men were allegedly told they would be trained as bodyguards for a faction 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 Russian citizenship.

Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the school and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’”

Political Connections

The accused, is known as a vocal supporter of her parent, who retains significant sway nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Russia date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in advocating for stronger alliances with countries often at in conflict with Western powers.

She has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. On social media, she has made statements aligning herself with the government in Moscow.

In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

The Journey to War

The group allegedly gathered at a travel hub in the summer before flying to Moscow. Messages from online forums dated July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns.

In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were separated. One message explicitly stated: “We are with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the son 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 designated force that has been active in the hostilities since its beginning.

Official Actions and Family Despair

In early November, the national leadership said it had been contacted by the men and was working to bring them home. The government noted that assisting foreign militaries without state authorization is illegal.

A deep rivalry between current and former leaders introduces an element of complication to the situation. At first, the contingent included twenty individuals, but three were allowed to come back.

A mid-November call between the accused and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was filed by another family member, accusing her sibling and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement claiming she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate program. “I would not knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her elected role.

The other named recruiters were unavailable for a statement. 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.

A Wider Pattern

Authorities have indicated that hundreds of African nationals are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about these activities.

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.

Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to take a child … That constitutes sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”