‘Outright Evil’: Anguish and Anger as South Africans Reportedly Deceived into Fighting for Russia

A mother has not heard from her son since late August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the ongoing conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.”

Her son was part of a group of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in legal filings, were tricked into fighting for Russia. The alleged scheme is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Claims about the individual's involvement began to surface last month following the national authorities announced 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 several individuals had deceptively recruited the men.

This claim sent shock waves through South Africa, 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 caught in a conflict they did not sign up for, 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 years ago. She stated that contact was made in the middle of the year with what was presented as an exciting opportunity in Russia.

Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be trained as bodyguards for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could join a self-improvement course, after which they could attend a Russian university and even obtain foreign nationality.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the program and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’”

Political Connections

The accused, has long been a vocal supporter of her father, who holds significant sway nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Moscow date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in pushing for stronger alliances with countries often at in conflict with Western powers.

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

Separately, she is currently on trial on accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

From Airport to Battlefield

The group allegedly gathered at a travel hub in early July before traveling to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease.

By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, stating they were separated. A communication explicitly stated: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”

In late August, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in Russian. An agreement associated with another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been active in the hostilities since its outset.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

Recently, the national leadership confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was working to secure their return. The government emphasized that recruiting for external armed forces without state authorization is illegal.

A deep rivalry between current and former leaders adds a layer of complexity to the situation. Initially, the group numbered twenty individuals, but three were allowed to come back.

A mid-November call between the accused and relatives of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another family member, claiming her half-sister and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

In response, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement asserting she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate program. “I would not knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in excerpts 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 the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to requests for comment.

A Wider Pattern

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

Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals including a media personality recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … 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?”