‘Utterly Wicked’: Anguish and Fury as Citizens Reportedly Deceived 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 dispatched to the battle lines of the war between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with worry.

“My health is truly suffering,” she said, fatigue 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 is an immense struggle.”

Her son was among a contingent of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russia. The purported operation is connected with a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Claims about the individual's role began to emerge recently after the national authorities said it was attempting to assist citizens trapped in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report claiming that several individuals had misled the men.

This claim sent shock waves through the nation, where the wider scandal has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Statistics show a large portion of young adults are unemployed and not studying.

These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a war they never agreed to join, while their relatives far from home fear for their lives.

The Initial Contact

Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla through a relative years ago. She stated that contact was made in June with what was presented as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country.

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 join a personal development programme, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even obtain Russian citizenship.

Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’”

A Complex Backdrop

Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a vocal supporter of her parent, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Moscow date back many years. The former president has been at the forefront in pushing for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers.

She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. Online, she has made statements aligning herself with the government in Moscow.

Separately, she is currently on trial on charges of serious offenses related to social media activity during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

The Journey to War

The group reportedly met at a travel hub in early July before flying to Moscow. Communication records from online forums from July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns.

By mid-August, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were separated. A communication explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

In late August, the young man called his mother to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. A document linked to another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been active in the war since its beginning.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

In early November, the office of the South African president confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government noted that recruiting for foreign militaries without state authorization is illegal.

A deep rivalry between the two political figures introduces an element of complication to the situation. Initially, the group included 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to return home.

A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men allegedly provided no answers. Soon thereafter, the police report was filed by another family member, claiming her sibling and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

In response, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement claiming she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position.

The other named recruiters could not be reached for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to requests for comment.

A Wider Pattern

Reports suggest that a significant number of citizens from African countries are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment.

Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals among them a public figure recently appeared in court on charges relating to involvement for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to take a child … That constitutes sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”