‘Outright Evil’: Anguish and Anger as South Africans Reportedly Tricked into Fighting for Russia

A mother has not heard from her son since late August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the frontlines of the ongoing conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.”

Her son was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into fighting for Russia. The purported operation is linked to a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface recently after the national authorities announced it was trying to help nationals stranded in the war zone. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that several individuals had misled the men.

This claim sent shock waves through South Africa, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of under-35s are unemployed and not studying.

These individuals are thought to remain caught in a war they never agreed to join, while their relatives far from home dread 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 Russia.

Some of the men were allegedly told they would be trained as security personnel for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could enrol on a personal development programme, after which they could study abroad and even secure foreign nationality.

Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’”

Political Connections

Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a fierce defender of her father, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Moscow date back many years. The former president has been a leading figure in advocating for stronger alliances with countries often at in conflict with Western powers.

The accused has also frequently declared her support of Russia. Online, she has shared posts aligning herself with the leadership 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.

From Airport to Battlefield

The men reportedly met at a travel hub in early July before flying to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups from July and August reportedly show the group's concerns.

By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, stating they were separated. A communication explicitly stated: “We are with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the young man called his mother to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in Russian. An agreement associated with another member of the group seems to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been active in the war since its beginning.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

In early November, the national leadership confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government emphasized that recruiting for foreign militaries without official permission is against the law.

A deep rivalry between the two political figures adds a layer of complication to the case. Initially, the contingent included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to return home.

A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another family member, accusing her half-sister and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

In response, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement asserting she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate training course. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role.

Other individuals were unavailable for comment. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment.

A Wider Pattern

Authorities have indicated that a significant number of African nationals are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about these activities.

Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans including a media personality recently faced a judge on charges relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “For someone to take a child … I think that is sheer wickedness,” she said. “Promises were made that they weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”