‘Outright Evil’: Anguish and Fury as Citizens Allegedly Tricked into Battling for Russian Forces

A mother has had no contact with her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the ongoing conflict between Russia 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 get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.”

The young man was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were tricked into 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 emerge last month after the South African government announced it was trying to help nationals stranded in the war zone. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, 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 highlighted the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a large portion of under-35s are not in work or education.

These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their relatives far from home dread for their lives.

The Initial Contact

Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection years ago. She stated that contact was made in June with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in Russia.

Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become security personnel for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could enrol on a personal development programme, after which they could attend a Russian university and even secure Russian citizenship.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the program and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’”

Political Connections

The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Moscow date back decades. The former president has been a leading figure in pushing for stronger alliances with nations often at in conflict with Western powers.

The accused has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. Online, she has made statements aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow.

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

From Airport to Battlefield

The men reportedly met at a travel hub in the summer before flying to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups from July and August reportedly show the group's concerns.

In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were separated. One message explicitly stated: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the son called his mother to say he was being forced to sign a contract in Russian. An agreement associated with another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been involved in the hostilities since its beginning.

Official Actions and Family Despair

Recently, the national leadership said it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government noted that recruiting for foreign militaries without official permission is against the law.

The political rift between current and former leaders adds a layer of complication to the situation. Initially, the contingent numbered 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to return home.

A mid-November call between the accused and relatives of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was lodged by another relative, accusing her sibling and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

In response, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit claiming she had been misled by an associate 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 resigned from her political position.

The other named recruiters could not be reached for comment. An official representative said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to inquiries.

A Wider Pattern

Reports suggest that hundreds of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about these activities.

Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals including a media personality recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could take a child … That constitutes sheer wickedness,” she said. “Promises were made that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”