‘Outright Evil’: Heartbreak and Anger as South Africans Allegedly 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 war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with worry.
“I’m honestly really sick,” 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 part of a group of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to legal filings, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russia. The purported operation is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma.
A Political Bombshell
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, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint alleging that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men.
This claim sent shock waves through the nation, where the wider scandal has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Statistics show a large portion of under-35s are unemployed and not studying.
These individuals are believed to be caught in a war they did not sign up for, while their relatives thousands of miles away fear for their lives.
The Initial Contact
Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with the accused via a family connection years ago. She stated that contact was made 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 faction led by Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could enrol on a self-improvement course, after which they could study abroad and even secure foreign nationality.
Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’”
Political Connections
Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a fierce defender of her parent, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Russia date back many years. 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 support of Russia. On social media, she has shared posts aligning herself with the government in Moscow.
Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of serious offenses related to social media activity during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.
The Journey to War
The men allegedly gathered at a major international airport in early July before flying to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups dated July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns.
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. This is not Russia.”
In late August, the son contacted his parent to say he was being forced to sign a contract in Russian. A document associated with another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been active in the war since its outset.
Official Actions and Family Despair
Recently, the national leadership confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was working to bring them home. The government emphasized that recruiting for foreign militaries without state authorization is illegal.
A deep rivalry between the two political figures adds a layer of complication to the situation. At first, the contingent included 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to return home.
A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men allegedly provided no answers. Shortly after, the formal allegation was filed by another family member, accusing her sibling and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.
Reacting to this, the accused submitted a statement asserting she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate training course. “I would not knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position.
Other individuals could not be reached for comment. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to requests for comment.
Broader Implications
Authorities have indicated that a significant number of African nationals are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment.
In a separate case, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.
Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could take a child … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”