‘Utterly Wicked’: Heartbreak and Fury as South Africans Allegedly Deceived into Fighting for Russian Forces

A mother 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 frontlines of the ongoing conflict between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with worry.

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

The young man was among a contingent of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to legal filings, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russia. The purported operation is connected with a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to surface recently after the South African government announced it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report alleging that several individuals had misled the men.

The accusation rippled through the nation, where the broader situation has shone a light on the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a large portion of under-35s are unemployed and not studying.

These individuals are believed to be trapped in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their relatives thousands of miles away dread for their lives.

The Initial Contact

Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with the accused 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 trained as security personnel for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could join a self-improvement course, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even obtain Russian citizenship.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the school and it was just so rushed,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’”

Political Connections

The accused, is known as a fierce defender of her father, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Moscow date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in pushing for closer relationships with nations often at in conflict with Western powers.

The accused has also publicly expressed her backing for Russia. On social media, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the government in Moscow.

Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during past unrest. She denies those charges.

The Journey to War

The men reportedly met at a travel hub in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Communication records from online forums dated July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns.

By mid-August, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were being split up. One message explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the son contacted his parent to say he was being forced to agree to terms in Russian. An agreement linked to another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been involved in the war since its outset.

Official Actions and Family Despair

Recently, the national leadership confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was working to bring them home. The government emphasized that assisting foreign militaries without state authorization is against the law.

A deep rivalry between the two political figures introduces an element of complication to the situation. Initially, the contingent included twenty individuals, but three were allowed to come back.

A subsequent conversation between the accused and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Shortly after, the police report was filed by another relative, accusing her sibling 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 claiming she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a legitimate program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position.

The other named recruiters could not be reached for comment. An official representative said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to requests for comment.

A Wider Pattern

Reports suggest that hundreds of African nationals 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 among them a public figure recently faced a judge on charges relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could take a child … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”