🔗 Share this article ‘Outright Evil’: Anguish and Fury as South Africans Allegedly Tricked into Battling for Russia A mother has had no contact with her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the frontlines of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with worry. “My health is truly suffering,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.” Her son was part of a group of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were tricked into 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 national authorities announced it was attempting to assist citizens trapped in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint claiming that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men. The accusation rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal has highlighted the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of young adults are unemployed and not studying. These individuals are believed to be caught in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their relatives thousands of miles away dread for their lives. The Initial Contact Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla through a relative years ago. She stated that contact was made in the middle of the year with what was described as an exciting opportunity in Russia. A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could enrol on a self-improvement course, after which they could study abroad and even secure foreign nationality. Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’” Political Connections The accused, is known as a fierce defender of her parent, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Moscow date back many years. The former president has been at the forefront in pushing for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers. The accused has also frequently declared her support of Russia. Online, she has made statements aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow. In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during past unrest. She denies those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The men allegedly gathered at a travel hub in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August reportedly show the group's concerns. By mid-August, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were separated. A communication explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” Towards the month's end, the son called his mother to say he was being forced to sign a contract in Russian. An agreement associated with another member of the group seems to be a contract with a designated force that has been involved in the hostilities since its outset. Official Actions and Family Despair Recently, the office of the South African president said it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government noted that assisting foreign militaries without official permission is illegal. A deep rivalry between current and former leaders adds a layer of complication to the situation. At first, the contingent numbered twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to come back. A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Soon thereafter, 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 foreign fighting force. In response, the accused filed her own affidavit asserting she had been misled by an associate into believing it was a proper training course. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role. Other individuals could not be reached for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to inquiries. Broader Implications Reports suggest that hundreds of African nationals are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals 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 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 lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”
A mother has had no contact with her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the frontlines of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with worry. “My health is truly suffering,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.” Her son was part of a group of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were tricked into 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 national authorities announced it was attempting to assist citizens trapped in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint claiming that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men. The accusation rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal has highlighted the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of young adults are unemployed and not studying. These individuals are believed to be caught in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their relatives thousands of miles away dread for their lives. The Initial Contact Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla through a relative years ago. She stated that contact was made in the middle of the year with what was described as an exciting opportunity in Russia. A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could enrol on a self-improvement course, after which they could study abroad and even secure foreign nationality. Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’” Political Connections The accused, is known as a fierce defender of her parent, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Moscow date back many years. The former president has been at the forefront in pushing for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers. The accused has also frequently declared her support of Russia. Online, she has made statements aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow. In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during past unrest. She denies those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The men allegedly gathered at a travel hub in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August reportedly show the group's concerns. By mid-August, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were separated. A communication explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” Towards the month's end, the son called his mother to say he was being forced to sign a contract in Russian. An agreement associated with another member of the group seems to be a contract with a designated force that has been involved in the hostilities since its outset. Official Actions and Family Despair Recently, the office of the South African president said it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government noted that assisting foreign militaries without official permission is illegal. A deep rivalry between current and former leaders adds a layer of complication to the situation. At first, the contingent numbered twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to come back. A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Soon thereafter, 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 foreign fighting force. In response, the accused filed her own affidavit asserting she had been misled by an associate into believing it was a proper training course. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role. Other individuals could not be reached for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to inquiries. Broader Implications Reports suggest that hundreds of African nationals are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals 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 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 lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”