‘Utterly Wicked’: Anguish and Fury as Citizens Allegedly Tricked into Battling for Russia

A mother has had no contact with her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he voiced concern that he was being sent to the battle lines of the war between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.

“My health is truly suffering,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.”

Her son was among a contingent of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is linked to a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Claims about the individual's involvement began to emerge recently after the national authorities announced it was trying to help citizens stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men.

The accusation rippled through South Africa, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of under-35s are unemployed and not studying.

These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a war they did not sign up for, while their relatives far from home fear for their lives.

The Initial Contact

The mother, whose name has been changed, 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 Russia.

A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be instructed to become security personnel for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could enrol on a personal development programme, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even secure foreign nationality.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the program and it was just so rushed,” she said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’”

A Complex Backdrop

Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a vocal supporter of her father, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Moscow date back many years. The former president has been a leading figure in advocating for stronger alliances with nations often at in conflict with Western powers.

The accused has also frequently declared her support of Russia. On social media, she has made statements showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow.

In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

From Airport to Battlefield

The men reportedly met at a major international airport in early July before traveling to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease.

In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were separated. A communication explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

In late August, the young man called his mother to say he was being forced to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. An agreement linked to another member of the group appears to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been involved in the hostilities since its outset.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

In early November, the national leadership said it had been contacted by the men and was working to secure their return. The government emphasized that recruiting for external armed forces without state authorization is against the law.

A deep rivalry between current and former leaders adds a layer of complication to the case. At first, the group numbered twenty individuals, but three were allowed to return home.

A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Shortly after, the formal allegation was filed by another family member, accusing her sibling and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

In response, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit claiming she had been deceived by another recruiter 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 stepped down from her elected role.

The other named recruiters were unavailable for comment. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to inquiries.

A Wider Pattern

Reports suggest that a significant number of citizens from African countries are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals 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 involvement for Russia.

Meanwhile, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to take a child … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they weren’t going to war and she lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”