🔗 Share this article ‘Utterly Wicked’: Heartbreak and Anger as South Africans Reportedly Deceived into Fighting for Russian Forces One parent has had no contact with her son since late August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the war between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety. “I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.” The young man was among a contingent of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were tricked into fighting for Russian military forces. The purported operation is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to surface recently following the national authorities said it was attempting to assist nationals stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men. This claim sent shock waves through South Africa, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of young adults are unemployed and not studying. These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a war they never agreed to join, while their relatives far from home dread for their lives. The Initial Contact The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection when her son was still a child. She stated that contact was made in June with what was presented as an exciting opportunity in Russia. Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be trained as security personnel for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could join a self-improvement course, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even secure foreign nationality. Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’” Political Connections Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a fierce defender of her father, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Moscow date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in advocating for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers. She has also frequently declared her support of Russia. Online, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the government in Moscow. Separately, she is currently on trial on accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during previous riots. She denies those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The group allegedly gathered at a major international airport in the summer before flying to Moscow. Communication records from online forums from July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease. By mid-August, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were being split up. A communication explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” Towards the month's end, the young man called his mother to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in Russian. An agreement 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 beginning. Official Actions and Family Despair Recently, the national leadership confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government noted that recruiting for foreign militaries without official permission is against the law. A deep rivalry between the two political figures introduces an element of complexity to the case. Initially, the group numbered 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to return home. A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Shortly after, the police report was filed by another relative, accusing her sibling and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. In response, the accused filed her own affidavit asserting she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position. Other individuals were unavailable for comment. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to inquiries. A Wider Pattern Authorities have indicated that a significant number of citizens from African countries are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment. Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans including a media personality recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia. Meanwhile, the mother continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could take a child … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”
One parent has had no contact with her son since late August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the war between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety. “I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.” The young man was among a contingent of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were tricked into fighting for Russian military forces. The purported operation is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to surface recently following the national authorities said it was attempting to assist nationals stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men. This claim sent shock waves through South Africa, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of young adults are unemployed and not studying. These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a war they never agreed to join, while their relatives far from home dread for their lives. The Initial Contact The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection when her son was still a child. She stated that contact was made in June with what was presented as an exciting opportunity in Russia. Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be trained as security personnel for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could join a self-improvement course, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even secure foreign nationality. Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’” Political Connections Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a fierce defender of her father, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Moscow date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in advocating for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers. She has also frequently declared her support of Russia. Online, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the government in Moscow. Separately, she is currently on trial on accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during previous riots. She denies those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The group allegedly gathered at a major international airport in the summer before flying to Moscow. Communication records from online forums from July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease. By mid-August, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were being split up. A communication explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” Towards the month's end, the young man called his mother to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in Russian. An agreement 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 beginning. Official Actions and Family Despair Recently, the national leadership confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government noted that recruiting for foreign militaries without official permission is against the law. A deep rivalry between the two political figures introduces an element of complexity to the case. Initially, the group numbered 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to return home. A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Shortly after, the police report was filed by another relative, accusing her sibling and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. In response, the accused filed her own affidavit asserting she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position. Other individuals were unavailable for comment. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to inquiries. A Wider Pattern Authorities have indicated that a significant number of citizens from African countries are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment. Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans including a media personality recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia. Meanwhile, the mother continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could take a child … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”