‘Utterly Wicked’: Anguish and Fury as South Africans Reportedly Deceived into Fighting for Russia
A mother has not heard from her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he voiced concern that he was being sent to the battle lines of the ongoing conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with anxiety.
“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. Constant headaches and dizziness. It is an immense struggle.”
The young man was part of a group of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russian military forces. The purported operation is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma.
A Startling Allegation
Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to emerge recently after the South African government announced it was trying to help nationals stranded in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report alleging that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men.
This claim sent shock waves through South Africa, where the wider scandal has highlighted the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. 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 families 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 Zuma-Sambudla through a relative years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in Russia.
A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be instructed to become security personnel for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could join a self-improvement course, after which they could attend a Russian university and even secure foreign nationality.
Initial wariness eventually gave way to 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.’”
Political Connections
Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a vocal supporter of her parent, who holds significant sway nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Russia date back many years. The former president has been a leading figure in pushing for stronger alliances with countries often at in conflict with Western powers.
The accused has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. Online, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow.
Separately, she is currently on trial on accusations of serious offenses related to social media activity during previous riots. She denies those charges.
From Airport to Battlefield
The group reportedly met at a travel hub in early July before flying to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups from July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease.
In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. A communication clearly read: “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 pressured to agree to terms 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 hostilities since its beginning.
Official Actions and Family Despair
In early November, the office of the South African president confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was working to bring them home. The government noted that assisting external armed forces without official permission is against the law.
A deep rivalry between the two political figures adds a layer of complication to the case. Initially, the group included twenty individuals, but three were allowed to return home.
A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Soon thereafter, the police report was lodged by another relative, claiming her sibling and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.
In response, the accused filed her own affidavit asserting she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a proper program. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position.
Other individuals were unavailable for comment. An official representative said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to inquiries.
A Wider Pattern
Reports suggest that hundreds of African nationals are serving with Moscow's military 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 involvement for Russia.
Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be worried sick 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 betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”