‘Outright Evil’: Heartbreak and Anger as South Africans Reportedly Tricked into Battling for Russian Forces
A mother has had no contact with her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the war between Russia and its neighbor. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.
“I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.”
The young man was part of a group of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russia. The alleged scheme is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma.
A Startling Allegation
Claims about the individual's involvement began to surface last month after the South African government announced it was trying to help nationals trapped in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men.
The accusation sent shock waves through South Africa, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Statistics show a substantial percentage of young adults are unemployed and not studying.
The men are thought to remain caught in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their relatives far from home dread for their lives.
The Initial Contact
The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection when her son was still a child. 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 security personnel for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could join a personal development programme, after which they could study abroad 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 need to go, they need to go urgently.’”
Political Connections
Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a vocal supporter of her father, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Moscow date back decades. The former president has been a leading figure in pushing for stronger alliances with countries often at in conflict with Western powers.
She has also frequently declared her support of Russia. On social media, she has shared posts aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow.
In another matter, she is currently on trial on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during previous riots. She denies those charges.
From Airport to Battlefield
The men reportedly met at a major international airport in early July before traveling to Moscow. Communication records from online forums from July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns.
In the following weeks, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were separated. One message clearly read: “We are with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”
Towards the month's end, the son contacted his parent to say he was being forced to sign a contract in Russian. 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 hostilities since its outset.
Government Response and Ongoing Anguish
In early November, the office of the South African president said it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government emphasized that recruiting for external armed forces without official permission is against the law.
A deep rivalry between the two political figures introduces an element of complexity to the situation. Initially, the group included 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to return home.
A mid-November call between the accused and relatives of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Shortly after, the formal allegation was filed by another family member, claiming her sibling and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.
In response, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit claiming she had been misled by an associate into believing it was a legitimate program. “I would not knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her elected role.
Other individuals were unavailable for comment. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to requests for comment.
A Wider Pattern
Reports suggest that hundreds of citizens from African countries are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment.
In a separate case, five more individuals including a media personality recently appeared in court on charges relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.
Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could take a child … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”