‘Utterly Wicked’: Anguish and Anger as South Africans Allegedly Tricked into Battling for Russia

A mother has had no contact with her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with worry.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.”

Her son was among a contingent of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russian military forces. The purported operation is connected with a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface last month following the South African government announced it was attempting to assist nationals stranded in Ukraine. Then, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint alleging that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men.

The accusation rippled through the nation, 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 not in work or education.

The men are thought to remain trapped in a war they did not sign up for, while their families far from home fear for their lives.

A Fateful Introduction

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

A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be trained as bodyguards for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could join a self-improvement course, after which they could study abroad and even secure Russian citizenship.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’”

A Complex Backdrop

The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her father, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Moscow date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in pushing for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers.

She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. Online, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow.

Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of serious offenses related to online posts during past unrest. She denies those charges.

From Airport to Battlefield

The men reportedly met at a major international airport in early July before flying to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups dated July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease.

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

In late August, the young man called his mother to say he was being forced to sign a contract in Russian. A document associated with another member of the group seems to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been involved in the hostilities since its outset.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

Recently, the national leadership said it had received distress calls the men and was working to bring them home. The government emphasized that recruiting for foreign militaries without state authorization is against the law.

A deep rivalry between the two political figures introduces an element of complication to the situation. At first, the contingent included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to return home.

A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Shortly after, the formal allegation was filed by another family member, claiming her half-sister and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

Reacting to this, the accused submitted a statement claiming she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a proper training course. “I would not knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position.

The other named recruiters were unavailable for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to inquiries.

A Wider Pattern

Reports suggest that a significant number of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about these activities.

Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”