‘Outright Evil’: Heartbreak and Fury as South Africans Allegedly Tricked into Battling for Russia
One parent has not heard from her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched 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.
“I’m honestly really sick,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. 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 deceptively recruited for serving with Russia. The purported operation is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma.
A Political Bombshell
Claims about the individual's role began to surface last month after the South African government said it was attempting to assist nationals trapped in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men.
The accusation rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal has highlighted the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of young adults are not in work or education.
These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a war they never agreed to join, while their relatives thousands of miles away dread for their lives.
A Fateful Introduction
The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with the accused 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 the foreign country.
A portion of the group were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become 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 study abroad and even obtain Russian citizenship.
Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’”
Political Connections
Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a vocal supporter of her father, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Russia date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in advocating for closer relationships with nations often at in conflict with Western powers.
The accused has also frequently declared her support of Russia. On social media, she has made statements showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow.
Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during previous riots. She denies those charges.
From Airport to Battlefield
The group reportedly met at a travel hub in early July before flying to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease.
By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, stating they were separated. One message explicitly stated: “We are with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”
In late August, the son contacted his parent to say he was being forced to agree to terms in Russian. An agreement linked to another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been involved in the hostilities since its outset.
Government Response and Ongoing Anguish
Recently, the office of the South African president said it had been contacted by the men and was working to secure their return. The government emphasized that recruiting for external armed forces without official permission is illegal.
A deep rivalry between the two political figures adds a layer of complication to the case. At first, the group numbered twenty individuals, but three were allowed 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 filed by another family member, claiming her half-sister and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.
Reacting to this, the accused filed her own affidavit claiming she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a proper training course. “I would not knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role.
Other individuals were unavailable for comment. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to inquiries.
Broader Implications
Authorities have indicated that a significant number of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment.
In a separate case, five more individuals among them a public figure recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.
Meanwhile, Mary continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”
