‘Outright Evil’: Heartbreak and Anger as South Africans Reportedly Deceived into Fighting for Russian Forces

One parent 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 frontlines of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with anxiety.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, fatigue 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 is an immense struggle.”

Her son was among a contingent of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were deceptively recruited for 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 the individual's role began to emerge recently after the South African government said it was trying to help citizens 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 broader situation has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Statistics show a substantial percentage of under-35s are not in work or education.

These individuals are believed to be trapped in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their relatives thousands of miles away dread for their lives.

The Initial Contact

The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with the accused through a relative years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was described as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country.

A portion of the group were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could join a self-improvement course, after which they could attend a Russian university and even obtain Russian citizenship.

Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the school and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’”

A Complex Backdrop

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 Moscow date back many years. The former president has been a leading figure in pushing for stronger alliances with nations often at in conflict with Western powers.

The accused has also publicly expressed her backing for Russia. Online, she has shared posts 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 denies those charges.

From Airport to Battlefield

The group reportedly met at a travel hub in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups dated July and August reportedly show 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 military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”

In late August, the son called his mother to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. A document associated with another member of the group seems to be a contract with a designated force that has been active in the hostilities since its outset.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

In early November, the national leadership said it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government noted that assisting external armed forces without state authorization is against the law.

The political rift between the two political figures adds a layer of complexity to the situation. At first, the group numbered twenty individuals, but three were allowed to return home.

A mid-November call between the accused and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another family member, accusing her half-sister and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

In response, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit asserting she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a proper program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role.

Other individuals could not be reached for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment.

A Wider Pattern

Reports suggest that a significant number of African nationals are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls 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, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could take a child … I think that is sheer wickedness,” she said. “Promises were made that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”