‘Utterly Wicked’: Heartbreak and Anger as Citizens Allegedly Tricked into Fighting for Russia

One parent has not heard from her son since late August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being sent to the battle lines of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with anxiety.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.”

Her son was among a contingent of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in legal filings, were tricked into fighting for Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is connected with a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Claims about the individual's role began to emerge last month following the national authorities announced it was attempting to assist nationals trapped in the war zone. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men.

The accusation sent shock waves through the nation, where the broader situation has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Statistics show a substantial percentage of under-35s are not in work or education.

The men are thought to remain caught in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their relatives thousands of miles away 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 years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in Russia.

Some of the men were allegedly told they would be instructed to become security personnel for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could join a self-improvement course, upon completion they could study abroad and even secure Russian citizenship.

Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the program and it was just so rushed,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’”

A Complex Backdrop

Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a vocal supporter of her parent, who retains significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Moscow date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in pushing for closer relationships with nations often at odds with Western powers.

She 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 accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during previous riots. She denies those charges.

The Journey to War

The group reportedly met at a major international airport in early July before flying to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups from July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease.

In the following weeks, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, stating they were being split up. One message explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

In late August, the son contacted his parent to say he was being forced to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. A document linked to another member of the group appears to be a contract with a designated force that has been active in the hostilities since its beginning.

Official Actions and Family Despair

In early November, the office of the South African president said it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government noted that assisting external armed forces without official permission is against the law.

A deep rivalry between current and former leaders introduces an element of complexity to the situation. At first, the group included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to come back.

A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Shortly after, the police report was filed by another relative, claiming her half-sister and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

In response, the accused submitted a statement claiming she had been misled 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 stepped down from her elected role.

The other named recruiters were unavailable for comment. An official representative 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

Authorities have indicated that a significant number of African nationals are fighting alongside Moscow's military 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 similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Meanwhile, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “For someone to exploit a young person … That constitutes 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?”