‘Outright Evil’: Heartbreak and Fury as Citizens Reportedly Deceived into Battling for Russia

A mother has had no contact with her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. 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, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.”

The young man was part of a group of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russia. The purported operation is connected with a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Allegations about the individual's role began to surface recently after the national authorities announced it was trying to help citizens trapped in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint alleging that several individuals had misled the men.

This claim 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.

The men are thought to remain trapped in a conflict 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 Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection years ago. She stated that contact was made in June with what was described as an lucrative prospect in Russia.

A portion of the group were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become security personnel for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could join a self-improvement course, upon completion they could study abroad and even obtain Russian citizenship.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’”

Political Connections

The accused, is known as a vocal supporter of her father, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Russia date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in pushing for closer relationships with nations often at in conflict with Western powers.

She has also frequently declared her support of Russia. On social media, she has made statements aligning herself with the government in Moscow.

Separately, she is currently on trial on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during previous riots. She denies those charges.

The Journey to War

The men allegedly gathered at a travel hub in the summer before flying to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups from July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns.

By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. One message explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”

In late August, the son 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 active in the hostilities since its outset.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

In early November, the office of the South African president confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was working to bring them home. The government emphasized that recruiting for external armed forces without state authorization is against the law.

A deep rivalry between current and former leaders introduces an element of complexity to the case. At first, the contingent included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to return home.

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

Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit claiming she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a proper training course. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role.

The other named recruiters could not be reached for comment. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to requests for comment.

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 warn their citizens about such recruitment.

Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently appeared in court on charges 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 lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”