🔗 Share this article ‘Utterly Wicked’: Heartbreak and Anger as South Africans Allegedly Deceived into Fighting for Russia One parent has had no contact with her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the frontlines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with worry. “I’m honestly really sick,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It’s not easy for me.” The young man was part of a group of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russian military forces. The purported operation is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Allegations about the individual's role began to emerge last month following the South African government said it was trying to help nationals trapped in Ukraine. Then, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, filed a police report alleging that several individuals had misled the men. This claim sent shock waves through South Africa, where the broader situation has highlighted the severe financial hardship 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 caught in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their relatives thousands of miles away fear for their lives. The Initial Contact Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to the accused via a family connection years ago. She stated that contact was made in June with what was presented as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country. A portion of the group were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become security personnel for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could enrol on a personal development programme, after which they could study abroad and even obtain Russian citizenship. Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’” A Complex Backdrop Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a vocal supporter of her parent, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Russia date back many years. The former president has been a leading figure in advocating for closer relationships with nations often at in conflict with Western powers. She has also frequently declared her support of Russia. Online, she has made statements aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow. Separately, she is currently on trial on accusations of serious offenses related to social media activity during past unrest. She denies those charges. The Journey to War The men reportedly met at a major international airport in the summer before flying to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August reportedly show the group's concerns. In the following weeks, the men started demanding answers 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 young man called his mother to say he was being forced to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. An agreement associated with another member of the group seems to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been active in the war since its beginning. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish In early November, the office of the South African president said it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government emphasized that assisting foreign militaries without official permission is against the law. A deep rivalry between the two political figures introduces an element of complication to the situation. Initially, the group included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to come back. A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was lodged by another relative, claiming her sibling 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 misled by an associate into believing it was a legitimate training course. “I would not knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role. Other individuals could not be reached for a statement. An official representative said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to inquiries. Broader Implications Authorities have indicated that a significant number of African nationals are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment. Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans including a media personality recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … That constitutes 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 the end of August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the frontlines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with worry. “I’m honestly really sick,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It’s not easy for me.” The young man was part of a group of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russian military forces. The purported operation is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Allegations about the individual's role began to emerge last month following the South African government said it was trying to help nationals trapped in Ukraine. Then, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, filed a police report alleging that several individuals had misled the men. This claim sent shock waves through South Africa, where the broader situation has highlighted the severe financial hardship 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 caught in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their relatives thousands of miles away fear for their lives. The Initial Contact Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to the accused via a family connection years ago. She stated that contact was made in June with what was presented as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country. A portion of the group were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become security personnel for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could enrol on a personal development programme, after which they could study abroad and even obtain Russian citizenship. Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’” A Complex Backdrop Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a vocal supporter of her parent, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Russia date back many years. The former president has been a leading figure in advocating for closer relationships with nations often at in conflict with Western powers. She has also frequently declared her support of Russia. Online, she has made statements aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow. Separately, she is currently on trial on accusations of serious offenses related to social media activity during past unrest. She denies those charges. The Journey to War The men reportedly met at a major international airport in the summer before flying to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August reportedly show the group's concerns. In the following weeks, the men started demanding answers 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 young man called his mother to say he was being forced to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. An agreement associated with another member of the group seems to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been active in the war since its beginning. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish In early November, the office of the South African president said it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government emphasized that assisting foreign militaries without official permission is against the law. A deep rivalry between the two political figures introduces an element of complication to the situation. Initially, the group included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to come back. A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was lodged by another relative, claiming her sibling 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 misled by an associate into believing it was a legitimate training course. “I would not knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role. Other individuals could not be reached for a statement. An official representative said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to inquiries. Broader Implications Authorities have indicated that a significant number of African nationals are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment. Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans including a media personality recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … That constitutes 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?”