‘Utterly Wicked’: Heartbreak and Fury as Citizens Allegedly Deceived into Battling for Russia
A mother has had no contact with her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he voiced concern that he was being sent to the frontlines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with anxiety.
“I’m honestly really sick,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.”
Her son was part of a group of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were tricked into fighting for Russia. The alleged scheme is linked to a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma.
A Political Bombshell
Claims about the individual's role began to emerge last month following the South African government said it was attempting to assist citizens trapped in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men.
This claim sent shock waves through the nation, where the broader situation has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Statistics show a large portion of under-35s are not in work or education.
These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a war they did not sign up for, while their families far from home fear for their lives.
A Fateful Introduction
The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla 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 presented as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country.
Some of the men were allegedly told they would be trained as bodyguards for a faction associated with 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 obtain Russian citizenship.
Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’”
Political Connections
The accused, is known as a vocal supporter of her parent, who retains significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Russia date back decades. The former president has been a leading figure in advocating for stronger alliances with nations often at in conflict with Western powers.
She has also frequently declared her support of Russia. Online, she has shared posts aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow.
Separately, she is currently on trial on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.
The Journey to War
The men allegedly gathered at a major international airport in early July before traveling to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups dated July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns.
By mid-August, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were separated. One message explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”
In late August, the son called his mother to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in Russian. An agreement associated with another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been active in the war since its beginning.
Official Actions and Family Despair
In early November, the national leadership confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government emphasized that assisting foreign militaries without official permission is against the law.
A deep rivalry between current and former leaders adds a layer of complication to the case. At first, the group included 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to return home.
A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was lodged by another family member, claiming her half-sister and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.
Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit claiming she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a proper program. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position.
The other named recruiters were unavailable for comment. An official representative said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to inquiries.
A Wider Pattern
Authorities have indicated that a significant number of African nationals are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment.
In a separate case, five more individuals among them a public figure recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.
Meanwhile, the mother continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “For someone to exploit a young person … That constitutes sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”