‘Utterly Wicked’: Anguish and Fury as Citizens Allegedly Deceived into Fighting for Russia

A mother has not heard from her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the frontlines of the ongoing conflict between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with worry.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she said, 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, according to multiple lawsuits, were tricked into serving with Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is connected with a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to surface last month after the South African government announced it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in the war zone. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men.

This claim rippled through South Africa, where the broader situation has shone a light on the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of under-35s are unemployed and not studying.

The men are believed to be caught in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their families thousands of miles away fear for their lives.

The Initial Contact

Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with the accused via a family connection years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country.

Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be trained as bodyguards for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could enrol on a personal development programme, upon completion they could study abroad and even obtain foreign nationality.

Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the school and it was just so rushed,” she said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’”

A Complex Backdrop

Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a fierce defender of her parent, who holds significant sway nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Moscow date back many years. The former president has been a leading figure in pushing for closer relationships with nations often at in conflict with Western powers.

The accused has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. Online, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow.

Separately, she is currently on trial on accusations of serious offenses related to online posts during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

The Journey to War

The group reportedly met at a travel hub in the summer before flying 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. A communication clearly read: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

In late August, the young man called his mother to say he was being forced to sign a contract in Russian. An agreement linked to another member of the group seems to be a contract with a designated force that has been involved in the war since its beginning.

Official Actions and Family Despair

Recently, the national leadership said it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government emphasized that assisting external armed forces without official permission is illegal.

The political rift between current and former leaders introduces an element of complication to the case. Initially, the group included 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to come back.

A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men allegedly provided no answers. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was lodged by another relative, accusing her sibling and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

In response, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit asserting she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a proper training course. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position.

Other individuals were unavailable for comment. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to inquiries.

A Wider Pattern

Reports suggest that a significant number of citizens from African countries are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens 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. “For someone to exploit a young person … 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. What kind of person does that?”