🔗 Share this article ‘Utterly Wicked’: Anguish and Anger as South Africans Reportedly Deceived into Battling for Russian Forces A mother has not heard from her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the battle lines of the war between Russia and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with worry. “My health is truly suffering,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It is an immense struggle.” Her son was part of a group of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into 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 the individual's involvement began to emerge recently after the national authorities said it was attempting to assist nationals stranded in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men. The accusation rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a large portion of under-35s are unemployed and not studying. These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a war they did not sign up for, while their families thousands of miles away fear for their lives. The Initial Contact The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to the accused via a family connection years ago. She stated that contact was made in the middle of the year with what was presented as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country. A portion of the group were reportedly promised they would be trained as bodyguards for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could join a personal development programme, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even obtain foreign nationality. Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’” A Complex Backdrop The accused, has long been 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 at the forefront in advocating for closer relationships with nations often at odds with Western powers. The accused has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. Online, she has made statements aligning herself with the government in Moscow. In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of serious offenses related to social media activity during past unrest. She denies those charges. The Journey to War The men allegedly gathered at a major international airport in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages from online forums from 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. 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 young man contacted his parent to say he was being forced to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. An agreement associated with another member of the group appears to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been involved in the war since its outset. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish In early November, the office of the South African president confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was working to secure their return. The government noted that assisting external armed forces without official permission is against the law. A deep rivalry between the two political figures adds a layer of complication to the case. At first, the group numbered 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to come back. A mid-November call between the accused and relatives of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Shortly after, the formal allegation was lodged by another family member, accusing her half-sister and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement asserting she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a proper training course. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position. Other individuals could not be reached for a statement. An official representative said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to requests for comment. Broader Implications Reports suggest that a significant number of citizens from African countries are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about these activities. In a separate case, 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 full of confusion and rage. “For someone to take a child … I think that is sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”
A mother has not heard from her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the battle lines of the war between Russia and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with worry. “My health is truly suffering,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It is an immense struggle.” Her son was part of a group of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into 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 the individual's involvement began to emerge recently after the national authorities said it was attempting to assist nationals stranded in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men. The accusation rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a large portion of under-35s are unemployed and not studying. These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a war they did not sign up for, while their families thousands of miles away fear for their lives. The Initial Contact The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to the accused via a family connection years ago. She stated that contact was made in the middle of the year with what was presented as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country. A portion of the group were reportedly promised they would be trained as bodyguards for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could join a personal development programme, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even obtain foreign nationality. Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’” A Complex Backdrop The accused, has long been 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 at the forefront in advocating for closer relationships with nations often at odds with Western powers. The accused has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. Online, she has made statements aligning herself with the government in Moscow. In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of serious offenses related to social media activity during past unrest. She denies those charges. The Journey to War The men allegedly gathered at a major international airport in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages from online forums from 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. 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 young man contacted his parent to say he was being forced to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. An agreement associated with another member of the group appears to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been involved in the war since its outset. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish In early November, the office of the South African president confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was working to secure their return. The government noted that assisting external armed forces without official permission is against the law. A deep rivalry between the two political figures adds a layer of complication to the case. At first, the group numbered 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to come back. A mid-November call between the accused and relatives of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Shortly after, the formal allegation was lodged by another family member, accusing her half-sister and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement asserting she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a proper training course. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position. Other individuals could not be reached for a statement. An official representative said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to requests for comment. Broader Implications Reports suggest that a significant number of citizens from African countries are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about these activities. In a separate case, 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 full of confusion and rage. “For someone to take a child … I think that is sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”