‘Outright Evil’: Heartbreak and Fury as South Africans Allegedly Deceived into Battling for Russia

One parent has had no contact with her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with anxiety.

“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 part of a group of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in legal filings, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russian military forces. The purported operation is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Claims about the individual's involvement began to emerge last month following the South African government said it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in the war zone. Then, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, filed a police report alleging that several individuals had misled the men.

The accusation rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. 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 families far from home dread for their lives.

The Initial Contact

Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla through a relative years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was described as an lucrative prospect in Russia.

Some of the men were allegedly told they would be trained as security personnel for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could join a personal development programme, after which they could attend a Russian university and even obtain foreign nationality.

Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the school and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’”

A Complex Backdrop

Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who retains significant sway nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Moscow date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in pushing for closer relationships 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 leadership in Moscow.

In another matter, she is currently on trial on accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

From Airport to Battlefield

The group reportedly met at a travel hub in early July before traveling to Moscow. Communication records 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 being split up. A communication clearly read: “We have been placed 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 forced to agree to terms in Russian. An agreement associated with another member of the group seems to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been active in the hostilities since its beginning.

Official Actions and Family Despair

In early November, the office of the South African president said it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government noted that assisting external armed forces without state authorization is illegal.

The political rift between current and former leaders introduces an element of complexity to the situation. Initially, the contingent included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to come back.

A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was filed by another family member, claiming her half-sister and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

In response, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit asserting she had been misled by an associate into believing it was a legitimate program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role.

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 did not reply to requests for comment.

A Wider Pattern

Reports suggest that hundreds of African nationals are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment.

Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans including a media personality recently faced a judge on similar allegations 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 … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”