🔗 Share this article ‘Utterly Wicked’: Heartbreak and Anger as South Africans Reportedly Tricked into Battling for Russia One parent has had no contact with her son since late August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the frontlines of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with worry. “My health is truly suffering,” she stated, exhaustion 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’s not easy for me.” Her son was part of a group of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into fighting for Russian military forces. The purported operation is connected with a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface recently after the South African government said it was attempting to assist nationals stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men. This claim rippled through South Africa, where the wider scandal has highlighted the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a large portion of young adults are unemployed and not studying. These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their relatives far from home fear for their lives. The Initial Contact The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to the accused through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that contact was made in June with what was described as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country. A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be trained as bodyguards for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could enrol on a personal development programme, after which they could attend a Russian university and even secure Russian citizenship. Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the school and it was just so rushed,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’” Political Connections Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a fierce defender of her parent, who retains significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Russia date back decades. Jacob Zuma 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. On social media, she has made statements aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow. In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of serious offenses related to online posts during past unrest. She denies those charges. The Journey to War The group reportedly met at a major international airport in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns. By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. A communication explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.” In late August, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. An agreement linked to another member of the group appears to be a contract with a designated force that has been active in the hostilities since its outset. Official Actions and Family Despair Recently, the national leadership said it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government noted that recruiting for foreign militaries without state authorization is illegal. The political rift between current and former leaders introduces an element of complication to the situation. At first, the contingent numbered twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to come back. A subsequent conversation between the accused and relatives of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another family member, claiming her half-sister and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. In response, the accused submitted a statement asserting she had been misled 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 resigned from her political position. The other named recruiters were unavailable for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to requests for comment. Broader Implications Authorities have indicated that a significant number of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment. In a separate case, five more individuals among them a public figure recently faced a judge on charges relating to involvement for Russia. Meanwhile, the mother 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. “Promises were made that they weren’t going to war and she lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”
One parent has had no contact with her son since late August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the frontlines of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with worry. “My health is truly suffering,” she stated, exhaustion 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’s not easy for me.” Her son was part of a group of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into fighting for Russian military forces. The purported operation is connected with a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface recently after the South African government said it was attempting to assist nationals stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men. This claim rippled through South Africa, where the wider scandal has highlighted the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a large portion of young adults are unemployed and not studying. These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their relatives far from home fear for their lives. The Initial Contact The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to the accused through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that contact was made in June with what was described as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country. A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be trained as bodyguards for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could enrol on a personal development programme, after which they could attend a Russian university and even secure Russian citizenship. Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the school and it was just so rushed,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’” Political Connections Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a fierce defender of her parent, who retains significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Russia date back decades. Jacob Zuma 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. On social media, she has made statements aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow. In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of serious offenses related to online posts during past unrest. She denies those charges. The Journey to War The group reportedly met at a major international airport in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns. By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. A communication explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.” In late August, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. An agreement linked to another member of the group appears to be a contract with a designated force that has been active in the hostilities since its outset. Official Actions and Family Despair Recently, the national leadership said it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government noted that recruiting for foreign militaries without state authorization is illegal. The political rift between current and former leaders introduces an element of complication to the situation. At first, the contingent numbered twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to come back. A subsequent conversation between the accused and relatives of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another family member, claiming her half-sister and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. In response, the accused submitted a statement asserting she had been misled 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 resigned from her political position. The other named recruiters were unavailable for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to requests for comment. Broader Implications Authorities have indicated that a significant number of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment. In a separate case, five more individuals among them a public figure recently faced a judge on charges relating to involvement for Russia. Meanwhile, the mother 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. “Promises were made that they weren’t going to war and she lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”