‘Utterly Wicked’: Heartbreak and Anger as Citizens Allegedly Deceived into Fighting for Russian Forces

One parent has had no contact with 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 Russia and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with worry.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.”

The young man was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in legal filings, were tricked into fighting for Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is connected with a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Allegations about the individual's involvement began to emerge last month after the South African government announced it was trying to help citizens trapped in Ukraine. Then, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men.

This claim rippled through South Africa, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Statistics show a substantial percentage of young adults are unemployed and not studying.

These individuals are thought to remain caught in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their relatives far from home dread for their lives.

A Fateful Introduction

The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to the accused through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was described as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country.

Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be trained as 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 obtain Russian citizenship.

Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the program and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’”

Political Connections

Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a fierce defender of her parent, who holds significant sway nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Moscow date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in advocating for closer relationships with countries often at in conflict with Western powers.

She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. On social media, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the government in Moscow.

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

From Airport to Battlefield

The men reportedly met at a travel hub in the summer before flying to Moscow. Communication records from online forums from July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease.

By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, stating they were separated. A communication clearly read: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”

In late August, the young man called his mother to say he was being forced to agree to terms in Russian. An agreement linked to another member of the group seems to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been involved in the hostilities since its outset.

Official Actions and Family Despair

Recently, the office of the South African president confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government emphasized that recruiting for external armed forces without state authorization is illegal.

A deep rivalry between the two political figures adds a layer of complication to the case. Initially, the group included twenty individuals, but three were allowed to come back.

A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Shortly after, the formal allegation was lodged by another relative, claiming her half-sister and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

Reacting to this, the accused filed her own affidavit asserting she had been misled by another recruiter 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 stepped down from her political position.

Other individuals could not be reached for comment. An official representative said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to requests for comment.

A Wider Pattern

Reports suggest that hundreds of citizens from African countries are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment.

In a separate case, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently faced a judge 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 take a child … That constitutes sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”