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

A mother has not heard from her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, 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 gravely ill with anxiety.

“My health is truly suffering,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It is an immense struggle.”

Her son was part of a group of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into fighting for Russia. The purported operation is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to emerge recently following the national authorities said it was trying to help citizens trapped in the war zone. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report claiming that several individuals had misled the men.

This claim rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Statistics show a substantial percentage of under-35s are unemployed and not studying.

These individuals are thought to remain caught in a war they did not sign up for, while their families far from home dread for their lives.

A Fateful Introduction

The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with 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 the foreign country.

Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could enrol on a personal development programme, upon completion they could study abroad and even secure Russian citizenship.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the program and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’”

A Complex Backdrop

The accused, has long been a vocal supporter of her father, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Russia date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in pushing for stronger alliances with nations often at in conflict with Western powers.

She has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. On social media, she has made statements aligning herself with the government in Moscow.

Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of serious offenses related to online posts during past unrest. She denies those charges.

The Journey to War

The group allegedly gathered at a travel hub in early July before flying to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups dated July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns.

By mid-August, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were separated. One message clearly read: “We have been placed with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

In late August, the son called his mother to say he was being forced to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. A document associated with another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been active in the war since its beginning.

Official Actions and Family Despair

In early November, the national leadership said it had been contacted by the men and was working to bring them home. The government emphasized that recruiting for foreign militaries without state authorization is illegal.

The political rift between current and former leaders introduces an element of complexity to the situation. Initially, the contingent included twenty individuals, but three were allowed to come back.

A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men allegedly provided no answers. Shortly after, the formal allegation was filed by another relative, claiming her sibling and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

In response, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement claiming she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a legitimate program. “I would not knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her elected role.

Other individuals were unavailable for comment. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to requests for comment.

A Wider Pattern

Authorities have indicated that hundreds 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.

Throughout this ordeal, the mother 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 outright evil,” 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?”