‘Outright Evil’: Heartbreak and Fury as Citizens Reportedly Deceived into Battling for Russian Forces
One parent has not heard from her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, 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 physically unwell with worry.
“I’m honestly really sick,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.”
Her son was part of a group of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to legal filings, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma.
A Startling Allegation
Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to surface recently after the South African government said it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in the war zone. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, 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 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 trapped in a war they never agreed to join, while their relatives thousands of miles away fear for their lives.
A Fateful Introduction
The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country.
Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be trained as security personnel for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could enrol on a personal development programme, after which they could study abroad and even secure Russian citizenship.
Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’”
Political Connections
The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who holds significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Russia date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in advocating for closer relationships with countries often at odds with Western powers.
The accused has also publicly expressed her backing for Russia. On social media, she has shared posts aligning herself with the government in Moscow.
Separately, she is currently on trial on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during past unrest. She denies those charges.
From Airport to Battlefield
The men reportedly met at a travel hub in the summer before flying to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups dated July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease.
In the following weeks, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, stating they were being split up. One message explicitly stated: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”
In late August, the son called his mother to say he was being forced to sign a contract in Russian. A document linked to another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been active in the hostilities since its beginning.
Official Actions and Family Despair
In early November, the national leadership said it had received distress calls the men and was working to bring them home. The government noted that recruiting for foreign militaries without state authorization is illegal.
The political rift between current and former leaders introduces an element of complexity to the case. At first, the group numbered 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to return home.
A subsequent conversation between the accused and families of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another family member, claiming her sibling and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.
Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement claiming she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a proper program. “I would not knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position.
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 requests for comment.
Broader Implications
Reports suggest that hundreds of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment.
In a separate case, several other South Africans including a media personality recently faced a judge on charges relating to involvement for Russia.
Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could take a child … I think that is sheer wickedness,” she said. “Promises were made that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”