🔗 Share this article ‘Utterly Wicked’: Anguish and Fury as South Africans Allegedly Tricked into Battling for Russia One parent has had no contact with her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with worry. “My health is truly suffering,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It’s not easy for me.” The young man was among a contingent of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russia. The purported operation is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to surface recently following the national authorities announced it was trying to help nationals stranded in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report alleging that several individuals had misled the men. The accusation rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of under-35s are unemployed and not studying. These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a war they did not sign up for, while their relatives thousands of miles away dread for their lives. A Fateful Introduction Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with the accused through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in Russia. A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be trained as security personnel for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could join a self-improvement course, after which they could study abroad and even obtain foreign nationality. Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements 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, has long been a vocal supporter of her father, who holds 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 nations often at odds with Western powers. The accused has also frequently declared her support of Russia. On social media, she has made statements aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow. In another matter, 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. From Airport to Battlefield The group reportedly met at a major international airport in early July before traveling to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups dated July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease. In the following weeks, 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 forced to agree to terms in Russian. A document linked to another member of the group appears to be a contract with a designated force that has been active in the war since its outset. Official Actions and Family Despair In early November, the national leadership confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government noted that assisting foreign militaries without official permission is against the law. The political rift between the two political figures introduces an element of complexity to the situation. Initially, the group included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to return home. A mid-November call between the accused and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Soon thereafter, the police report was lodged by another family member, claiming her sibling and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force. In response, the accused filed her own affidavit claiming she had been misled by an associate into believing it was a legitimate training course. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position. Other individuals were unavailable for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to requests for comment. Broader Implications Reports suggest that a significant number of African nationals are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment. In a separate case, five more individuals including a media personality recently faced a judge on charges relating to involvement for Russia. Meanwhile, Mary continues to be consumed by fear 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. I mean, who does that?”
One parent has had no contact with her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with worry. “My health is truly suffering,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It’s not easy for me.” The young man was among a contingent of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russia. The purported operation is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to surface recently following the national authorities announced it was trying to help nationals stranded in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report alleging that several individuals had misled the men. The accusation rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of under-35s are unemployed and not studying. These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a war they did not sign up for, while their relatives thousands of miles away dread for their lives. A Fateful Introduction Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with the accused through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in Russia. A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be trained as security personnel for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could join a self-improvement course, after which they could study abroad and even obtain foreign nationality. Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements 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, has long been a vocal supporter of her father, who holds 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 nations often at odds with Western powers. The accused has also frequently declared her support of Russia. On social media, she has made statements aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow. In another matter, 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. From Airport to Battlefield The group reportedly met at a major international airport in early July before traveling to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups dated July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease. In the following weeks, 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 forced to agree to terms in Russian. A document linked to another member of the group appears to be a contract with a designated force that has been active in the war since its outset. Official Actions and Family Despair In early November, the national leadership confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government noted that assisting foreign militaries without official permission is against the law. The political rift between the two political figures introduces an element of complexity to the situation. Initially, the group included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to return home. A mid-November call between the accused and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Soon thereafter, the police report was lodged by another family member, claiming her sibling and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force. In response, the accused filed her own affidavit claiming she had been misled by an associate into believing it was a legitimate training course. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position. Other individuals were unavailable for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to requests for comment. Broader Implications Reports suggest that a significant number of African nationals are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment. In a separate case, five more individuals including a media personality recently faced a judge on charges relating to involvement for Russia. Meanwhile, Mary continues to be consumed by fear 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. I mean, who does that?”