‘Utterly Wicked’: Heartbreak and Fury as Citizens Reportedly Tricked into Fighting for Russia

A mother has not heard from her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the frontlines of the war between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It is an immense struggle.”

Her son was part of a group of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russian military forces. The purported operation is connected with a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface last month following the South African government announced it was attempting to assist citizens trapped in the war zone. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men.

This claim rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal has highlighted the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Statistics show a substantial percentage of under-35s are not in work or education.

The men are believed to be caught in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their relatives thousands of miles away fear for their lives.

The Initial Contact

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 described 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. Others were given the impression they could enrol on a personal development programme, after which they could study abroad and even obtain Russian citizenship.

Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the school and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’”

A Complex Backdrop

Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a vocal supporter of her father, who holds significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Moscow date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in pushing for stronger alliances with countries often at odds with Western powers.

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

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

From Airport to Battlefield

The group reportedly met at a travel hub in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August reportedly show the group's concerns.

By mid-August, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. A communication explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being forced to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. An agreement linked to another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been active in the war since its beginning.

Official Actions and Family Despair

In early November, the office of the South African president said it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government emphasized that assisting foreign militaries without state authorization is illegal.

A deep rivalry between the two political figures adds a layer of complication to the situation. Initially, the contingent numbered twenty individuals, but three were allowed to come back.

A mid-November call between the accused and relatives of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Soon thereafter, the police report was lodged 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, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit asserting 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 parts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her elected role.

Other individuals could not be reached for comment. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to inquiries.

A Wider Pattern

Authorities have indicated that a significant number of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about these activities.

In a separate case, five more individuals including a media personality recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to take a child … That constitutes sheer wickedness,” she said. “Promises were made that they weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”