‘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. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with worry.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It’s not easy for me.”

The young man was part of a group of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were tricked into serving with Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is connected with a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface recently after the South African government announced it was attempting to assist nationals stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report alleging that several individuals had misled the men.

The accusation sent shock waves through the nation, where the broader situation has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a large portion of young adults are not in work or education.

The men are believed to be caught in a war they never agreed to join, while their families far from home dread for their lives.

A Fateful Introduction

The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla 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 instructed to become bodyguards for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could join a personal development programme, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even secure Russian citizenship.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’”

Political Connections

Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who retains significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Moscow date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in advocating for closer relationships with nations often at odds with Western powers.

She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. Online, she has shared posts aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow.

In another matter, she is currently on trial on charges of serious offenses related to social media activity during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

The Journey to War

The men allegedly gathered at a travel hub in early July before flying to Moscow. Communication records from online forums from July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease.

By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, stating they were being split up. A communication 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 linked to another member of the group seems to be a contract 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 confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was working to bring them home. The government noted that recruiting for foreign militaries without state authorization is illegal.

The political rift between the two political figures introduces an element of complexity to the case. Initially, the group numbered 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to return home.

A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Shortly after, the formal allegation was lodged by another family member, claiming her sibling 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 deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a proper program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position.

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. Diplomatic missions have not responded to requests for comment.

A Wider Pattern

Authorities have indicated that hundreds of citizens from African countries are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about these activities.

In a separate case, five more individuals including a media personality recently appeared in court on charges relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Meanwhile, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “For someone to take a child … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”