🔗 Share this article ‘Utterly Wicked’: Heartbreak and Anger as South Africans Allegedly Tricked into Battling for Russia A mother has not heard from her son since the end of 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. Since that day, she has been gravely ill 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 just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.” Her son was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is connected with a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to emerge recently following the South African government announced it was trying to help citizens trapped in the war zone. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men. The accusation sent shock waves through the nation, where the wider scandal has highlighted the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Statistics show a large portion of under-35s are not in work or education. The men are believed to be trapped in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their families far from home fear for their lives. A Fateful Introduction Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was presented as an exciting opportunity in Russia. A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be trained as bodyguards for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could enrol on a self-improvement course, after which they could attend a Russian university and even obtain Russian citizenship. Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’” A Complex Backdrop Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who retains significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Russia date back many years. The former president has been a leading figure in advocating for closer relationships with countries often at odds with Western powers. The accused has also publicly expressed her backing for Russia. Online, she has made statements aligning herself with the government in Moscow. In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. The Journey to War The men reportedly met at a travel hub in the summer before flying to Moscow. Communication records from online forums dated July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns. By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were separated. One message explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.” Towards the month's end, the young man called his mother 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 hostilities since its beginning. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish Recently, the office of the South African president said it had received distress calls the men and was working to secure their return. The government emphasized that recruiting for external armed forces without state authorization is illegal. A deep rivalry between the two political figures introduces an element of complication to the case. At first, the group numbered twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to return home. A subsequent conversation between the accused and families of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was filed by another family member, claiming her half-sister and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force. In response, the accused submitted a statement claiming she had been misled by an associate into believing it was a legitimate training course. “I would not knowingly expose anyone 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. An official representative said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to inquiries. Broader Implications Authorities have indicated that a significant number of citizens from African countries are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about these activities. In a separate case, five more individuals including a media personality recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia. Meanwhile, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could 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. What kind of person does that?”
A mother has not heard from her son since the end of 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. Since that day, she has been gravely ill 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 just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.” Her son was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is connected with a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to emerge recently following the South African government announced it was trying to help citizens trapped in the war zone. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men. The accusation sent shock waves through the nation, where the wider scandal has highlighted the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Statistics show a large portion of under-35s are not in work or education. The men are believed to be trapped in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their families far from home fear for their lives. A Fateful Introduction Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was presented as an exciting opportunity in Russia. A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be trained as bodyguards for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could enrol on a self-improvement course, after which they could attend a Russian university and even obtain Russian citizenship. Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’” A Complex Backdrop Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who retains significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Russia date back many years. The former president has been a leading figure in advocating for closer relationships with countries often at odds with Western powers. The accused has also publicly expressed her backing for Russia. Online, she has made statements aligning herself with the government in Moscow. In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. The Journey to War The men reportedly met at a travel hub in the summer before flying to Moscow. Communication records from online forums dated July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns. By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were separated. One message explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.” Towards the month's end, the young man called his mother 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 hostilities since its beginning. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish Recently, the office of the South African president said it had received distress calls the men and was working to secure their return. The government emphasized that recruiting for external armed forces without state authorization is illegal. A deep rivalry between the two political figures introduces an element of complication to the case. At first, the group numbered twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to return home. A subsequent conversation between the accused and families of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was filed by another family member, claiming her half-sister and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force. In response, the accused submitted a statement claiming she had been misled by an associate into believing it was a legitimate training course. “I would not knowingly expose anyone 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. An official representative said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to inquiries. Broader Implications Authorities have indicated that a significant number of citizens from African countries are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about these activities. In a separate case, five more individuals including a media personality recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia. Meanwhile, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could 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. What kind of person does that?”