‘Utterly Wicked’: Heartbreak and Fury as Citizens Allegedly Deceived into Fighting for Russia

A mother has had no contact with her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.

“My health is truly suffering,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. 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 deceptively recruited for serving with Russia. The alleged scheme is linked to a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to emerge recently following the national authorities announced it was attempting to assist nationals trapped in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men.

The accusation rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Statistics show a substantial percentage of under-35s are unemployed and not studying.

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

A Fateful Introduction

Mary, whose name has been changed, 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 allegedly told they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could enrol on a self-improvement course, after which they could study abroad and even obtain Russian citizenship.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’”

Political Connections

The accused, is known as a fierce defender of her parent, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Russia date back many years. The former president has been a leading figure in advocating for stronger alliances with countries often at in conflict with Western powers.

The accused has also frequently declared her support of Russia. On social media, she has shared posts aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow.

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

From Airport to Battlefield

The men allegedly gathered at a major international airport in early July before traveling to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns.

By mid-August, the men began questioning from their contacts, 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 young man called his mother to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in Russian. An agreement associated with another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been involved in the war since its beginning.

Official Actions and Family Despair

Recently, the office of the South African president confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government noted that recruiting for foreign militaries without state authorization is illegal.

A deep rivalry between the two political figures adds a layer of complexity to the situation. Initially, the contingent included twenty individuals, but three were allowed to return home.

A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Shortly after, the formal allegation was lodged by another relative, accusing her half-sister and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

In response, the accused filed her own affidavit claiming she had been misled by an associate into believing it was a proper training course. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position.

Other individuals could not be reached for comment. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to inquiries.

Broader Implications

Authorities have indicated that hundreds of African nationals are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment.

In a separate case, several other South Africans including a media personality recently faced a judge on charges relating to involvement for Russia.

Meanwhile, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to exploit a young person … I think that is 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?”