‘Outright Evil’: Anguish and Fury as South Africans Reportedly Tricked into Fighting for Russia

A mother has not heard from her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the battle lines of the ongoing conflict between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with worry.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It’s not easy for me.”

Her son was among a contingent of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into fighting for Russian military forces. The purported operation is linked to a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Claims about the individual's involvement began to surface last month following the national authorities said it was attempting to assist nationals stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, filed a police report alleging that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men.

The accusation sent shock waves through South Africa, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Statistics show a large portion of young adults are unemployed and not studying.

The men are thought to remain caught in a war they did not sign up for, while their families far from home fear for their lives.

The Initial Contact

Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that contact was made in June with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country.

Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could enrol on a self-improvement course, after which they could attend a Russian university and even secure foreign nationality.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’”

Political Connections

Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a fierce defender of her parent, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Moscow date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in advocating for closer relationships with nations often at in conflict with Western powers.

The accused has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. Online, 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 past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

The Journey to War

The men reportedly met at a major international airport in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups from July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease.

In the following weeks, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, stating they were separated. One message explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the son contacted his parent to say he was being forced to sign a contract in Russian. A document linked to another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been involved in the war since its outset.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

In early November, the national leadership confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government noted that recruiting for external armed forces without state authorization is against the law.

The political rift between the two political figures introduces an element of complexity to the case. Initially, the contingent numbered 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to come back.

A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and families 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.

Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit asserting she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a legitimate training course. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position.

Other individuals could not be reached for a statement. An official representative said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to requests for comment.

A Wider Pattern

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

In a separate case, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “For someone to exploit a young person … I think that is sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”