‘Outright Evil’: Heartbreak and Anger as Citizens Reportedly Tricked into Fighting for Russian Forces
One parent has had no contact with her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the war between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with worry.
“I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.”
The young man was part of a group of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in legal filings, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russian military forces. The purported operation is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma.
A Startling Allegation
Allegations about the individual's involvement began to emerge recently after the South African government said it was attempting to assist nationals trapped in the war zone. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men.
This claim sent shock waves through South Africa, where the broader situation has highlighted 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 thought to remain trapped in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their families far from home dread for their lives.
A Fateful Introduction
Mary, 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 June with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country.
A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could enrol on a self-improvement course, upon completion 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 program and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’”
A Complex Backdrop
Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a fierce defender of her father, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Russia date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in advocating for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers.
She has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. Online, she has shared posts aligning herself with the government in Moscow.
Separately, she is currently on trial on accusations 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. Communication records from online forums from July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease.
By mid-August, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were being split up. A communication explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”
Towards the month's end, the young man called his mother to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. A document associated with another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been active in the hostilities since its outset.
Official Actions and Family Despair
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 state authorization is illegal.
A deep rivalry between the two political figures adds a layer of complication to the situation. Initially, the contingent included 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to return home.
A mid-November call between the accused and relatives of the men allegedly provided no answers. 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 submitted a statement asserting 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 parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position.
The other named recruiters could not be reached for comment. An official representative said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to inquiries.
A Wider Pattern
Authorities have indicated that a significant number of African nationals are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment.
In a separate case, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently appeared in court on charges relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.
Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … I think that is sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”