‘Outright Evil’: Heartbreak and Fury as South Africans Reportedly Deceived into Fighting for Russian Forces
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 ongoing conflict between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with anxiety.
“My health is truly suffering,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.”
Her son was part of a group of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is connected with a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma.
A Political Bombshell
Allegations about the individual's role began to surface recently following the national authorities said it was attempting to assist citizens trapped in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men.
The accusation sent shock waves through South Africa, where the wider scandal has highlighted the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Statistics show a substantial percentage of under-35s are not in work or education.
These individuals are believed to be trapped in a war they never agreed to join, while their families far from home dread for their lives.
A Fateful Introduction
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 described as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country.
A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a political party associated with 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.
Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’”
A Complex Backdrop
The accused, is known as a vocal supporter of her parent, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Russia date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in pushing for closer relationships with countries often at odds with Western powers.
The accused has also publicly expressed her backing for Russia. Online, she has shared posts aligning herself with the government in Moscow.
In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of serious offenses related to online posts during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.
From Airport to Battlefield
The group allegedly gathered at a travel hub in the summer before flying to Moscow. Communication records from online forums from July and August reportedly show the group's concerns.
By mid-August, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were being split up. A communication clearly read: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”
In late August, the son contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. An agreement associated with another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been active in the war since its beginning.
Official Actions and Family Despair
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 assisting external armed forces without official permission is illegal.
A deep rivalry between current and former leaders adds a layer of complexity to the case. At first, the group numbered twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to return home.
A mid-November call between the accused and families of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Soon thereafter, the police report was lodged by another relative, claiming 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 claiming she had been misled 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 stepped down from her political position.
Other individuals were unavailable for comment. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to requests for comment.
A Wider Pattern
Reports suggest that a significant number of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Moscow's military 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 appeared in court on charges relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.
Meanwhile, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could take a child … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”
