‘Outright Evil’: Anguish and Fury as South Africans Reportedly Tricked into Battling for Russian Forces

A mother has not heard from her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.

“My health is truly suffering,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.”

Her son was part of a group of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were tricked into fighting for Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is linked to a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to emerge last month following the South African government announced it was trying to help citizens trapped in the war zone. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint claiming that several individuals had misled the men.

This claim rippled through the nation, where the broader situation has highlighted the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Statistics show a substantial percentage of under-35s are not in work or education.

These individuals are believed to be caught in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their families far from home dread for their lives.

The Initial Contact

The mother, 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 an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was described as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country.

Some of the men were allegedly told they would be trained as bodyguards for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could enrol on a personal development programme, upon completion they could study abroad and even obtain foreign nationality.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’”

A Complex Backdrop

The accused, is known as a vocal supporter of her father, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Russia date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in pushing for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers.

The accused has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. Online, she has made statements showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow.

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

The Journey to War

The group allegedly gathered at a travel hub in early July before flying to Moscow. Messages 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 are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the son called his mother to say he was being forced to agree to terms in Russian. A document associated with another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been involved 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 working to bring them home. The government noted that assisting foreign militaries without state authorization is illegal.

The political rift between the two political figures adds a layer of complication to the case. Initially, the group included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to return home.

A mid-November call between the accused and families of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Shortly after, the formal allegation was lodged by another relative, accusing her half-sister and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

Reacting to this, the accused filed her own affidavit claiming she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate training course. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position.

Other individuals could not be reached for comment. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to inquiries.

A Wider Pattern

Authorities have indicated that a significant number of citizens from African countries are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about these activities.

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, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “For someone to exploit a young person … That constitutes sheer wickedness,” 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?”