🔗 Share this article ‘Outright Evil’: Heartbreak and Anger as South Africans Allegedly Deceived into Fighting for Russian Forces One parent has not heard from her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the frontlines of the war between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. 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, I’m in and out of hospital, heart 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 legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russian military forces. The purported operation is linked to a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Allegations about the individual's role began to surface recently after the national authorities said it was trying to help nationals stranded in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, 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 wider scandal has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Statistics show a substantial percentage of young adults are not in work or education. These individuals are thought to remain caught in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their relatives thousands of miles away fear for their lives. The Initial Contact Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla through a relative years ago. She stated that contact was made in June with what was described as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country. A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could join 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 contracts for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’” A Complex Backdrop The accused, is known as a fierce defender of her parent, who retains significant sway nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Moscow date back many years. The former president has been a leading figure in pushing for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers. She has also publicly expressed her backing for Russia. On social media, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the government 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 group allegedly gathered at a major international airport in the summer before flying to Moscow. Messages from online forums dated July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease. In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were separated. A communication clearly read: “We are with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” In late August, the young man called his mother to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. A document 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 beginning. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish In early November, the national leadership confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was working to bring them home. The government emphasized that recruiting for external armed forces without official permission is illegal. A deep rivalry between the two political figures adds a layer of complexity to the situation. Initially, the group numbered twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to return home. A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Shortly after, the formal allegation was filed by another relative, accusing her sibling and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. In response, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement asserting she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a proper training course. “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 were unavailable for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to inquiries. A Wider Pattern Authorities have indicated that a significant number of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about these activities. Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals among them a public figure recently faced a judge on charges relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia. Meanwhile, the mother continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”
One parent has not heard from her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the frontlines of the war between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. 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, I’m in and out of hospital, heart 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 legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russian military forces. The purported operation is linked to a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Allegations about the individual's role began to surface recently after the national authorities said it was trying to help nationals stranded in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, 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 wider scandal has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Statistics show a substantial percentage of young adults are not in work or education. These individuals are thought to remain caught in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their relatives thousands of miles away fear for their lives. The Initial Contact Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla through a relative years ago. She stated that contact was made in June with what was described as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country. A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could join 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 contracts for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’” A Complex Backdrop The accused, is known as a fierce defender of her parent, who retains significant sway nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Moscow date back many years. The former president has been a leading figure in pushing for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers. She has also publicly expressed her backing for Russia. On social media, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the government 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 group allegedly gathered at a major international airport in the summer before flying to Moscow. Messages from online forums dated July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease. In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were separated. A communication clearly read: “We are with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” In late August, the young man called his mother to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. A document 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 beginning. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish In early November, the national leadership confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was working to bring them home. The government emphasized that recruiting for external armed forces without official permission is illegal. A deep rivalry between the two political figures adds a layer of complexity to the situation. Initially, the group numbered twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to return home. A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Shortly after, the formal allegation was filed by another relative, accusing her sibling and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. In response, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement asserting she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a proper training course. “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 were unavailable for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to inquiries. A Wider Pattern Authorities have indicated that a significant number of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about these activities. Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals among them a public figure recently faced a judge on charges relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia. Meanwhile, the mother continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”