‘Outright Evil’: Heartbreak and Fury as Citizens Allegedly Tricked into Fighting for Russia

A mother has had no contact with her son since late August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the war between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with anxiety.

“My health is truly suffering,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.”

The young man was among a contingent of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in 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

Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to emerge last month following the national authorities announced it was attempting to assist citizens trapped in Ukraine. Then, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, 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 a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of under-35s are unemployed and not studying.

The men are thought to remain caught in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their relatives far from home dread for their lives.

A Fateful Introduction

The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was described as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country.

Some of the men 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 enrol on a self-improvement course, after which they could study abroad and even secure Russian citizenship.

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

Political Connections

The accused, is known as a vocal supporter of her father, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Moscow date back decades. The former president has been a leading figure in pushing for closer relationships with countries often at odds with Western powers.

She has also publicly expressed her backing for Russia. On social media, she has made statements aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow.

Separately, she is facing legal proceedings 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 allegedly gathered at a travel hub in early July before flying to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups from July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease.

By mid-August, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were separated. A communication explicitly stated: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”

In late August, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in Russian. A document linked to another member of the group seems to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been involved in the war since its beginning.

Official Actions and Family Despair

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 emphasized that assisting external armed forces without state authorization is illegal.

A deep rivalry between current and former leaders adds a layer of complexity to the situation. Initially, the group included twenty individuals, but three were allowed to come back.

A subsequent conversation between the accused and relatives of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Shortly after, the police report was filed by another family member, claiming her half-sister and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

Reacting to this, the accused submitted a statement asserting she had been misled by an associate into believing it was a legitimate program. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position.

Other individuals were unavailable for comment. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to requests for comment.

Broader Implications

Authorities have indicated that hundreds of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about these activities.

In a separate case, five more individuals including a media personality recently appeared in court on charges relating to involvement for Russia.

Meanwhile, the mother continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they weren’t going to war and she lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”