‘Utterly Wicked’: Heartbreak and Fury as Citizens Allegedly Deceived into Battling for Russia

One parent has not heard from her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the ongoing conflict between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. Since that day, 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, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It’s not easy for me.”

The young man was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in legal filings, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russia. 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 recently following the national authorities announced it was trying to help citizens stranded in Ukraine. Then, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report claiming that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men.

The accusation rippled through the nation, where the broader situation has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Statistics show a substantial percentage of under-35s are unemployed and not studying.

The men are believed to be trapped in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their families thousands of miles away fear for their lives.

A Fateful Introduction

The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection years ago. She stated that contact was made 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 political party associated with 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 just so rushed,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’”

Political Connections

Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a fierce defender of her father, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Russia date back decades. The former president has been a leading figure in advocating for closer relationships with countries often at in conflict with Western powers.

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

Separately, 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 group allegedly gathered at a travel hub in the summer 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 being split up. One message explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the son contacted his parent to say he was being forced to agree to terms in Russian. A document linked to another member of the group appears to be a contract with a designated force that has been involved in the hostilities since its beginning.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

Recently, the national leadership said it had received distress calls the men and was working to bring them home. The government emphasized that assisting foreign militaries without state authorization is against the law.

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

A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another relative, claiming her half-sister and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

In response, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit asserting she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a proper program. “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 were unavailable for comment. An official representative said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to inquiries.

A Wider Pattern

Reports suggest that hundreds of African nationals are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment.

Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans including a media personality recently appeared in court on charges relating to involvement for Russia.

Meanwhile, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could 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?”