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

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

“I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, fatigue 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 among a contingent of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in legal filings, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russian military forces. The purported operation is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about the individual's role began to emerge last month following the South African government announced it was trying to help citizens trapped 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 misled the men.

This claim rippled 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 unemployed and not studying.

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

Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with the accused via a family connection when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country.

Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be trained as bodyguards for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could join a self-improvement course, after which they could attend a Russian university and even obtain foreign nationality.

Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the school and it was just so rushed,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’”

Political Connections

Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a vocal supporter of her father, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Russia date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in advocating for closer relationships with nations often at in conflict with Western powers.

She has also publicly expressed her backing for Russia. Online, she has made statements aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow.

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

From Airport to Battlefield

The men allegedly gathered at a travel hub in early July before traveling to Moscow. Communication records from online forums dated July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease.

By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. One message explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

In late August, the son contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in Russian. An agreement associated with another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been involved in the war since its beginning.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

Recently, the office of the South African president confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was working 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 complication to the case. At first, the group numbered 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to come back.

A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was filed by another family member, claiming her half-sister and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

Reacting to this, the accused filed her own affidavit claiming she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a legitimate program. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role.

The other named recruiters were unavailable for a statement. An official representative said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to inquiries.

Broader Implications

Reports suggest that a significant number of African nationals are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment.

Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans including a media personality recently appeared in court on similar allegations 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 sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”