‘Utterly Wicked’: Heartbreak and Anger as Citizens Reportedly Deceived into Fighting for Russian Forces

One parent has had no contact with her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the ongoing conflict between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with worry.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety 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 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in legal filings, were tricked into fighting for Russia. The alleged scheme is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface recently following the South African government said it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report claiming that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men.

The accusation rippled through the nation, where the broader situation has highlighted the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a large portion of under-35s are not in work or education.

These individuals are believed to be caught in a war they did not sign up for, while their families thousands of miles away dread for their lives.

A Fateful Introduction

The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in Russia.

Some of the men were allegedly told they would be instructed to become security personnel for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could join a self-improvement course, after which they could attend a Russian university and even secure foreign nationality.

Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the school and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’”

A Complex Backdrop

Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Moscow date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in advocating for closer relationships with countries often at odds with Western powers.

The accused has also frequently declared her support of Russia. On social media, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the government in Moscow.

Separately, she is currently on trial on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during previous riots. She denies those charges.

From Airport to Battlefield

The men allegedly gathered at a travel hub in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages from online forums dated July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease.

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. We are not in Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the son contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in Russian. A document linked to another member of the group appears to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been active in the hostilities since its beginning.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

In early November, the national leadership confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government emphasized that recruiting for foreign militaries without official permission is against the law.

A deep rivalry between current and former leaders adds a layer of complexity to the case. Initially, the group numbered twenty individuals, but three were allowed to come back.

A mid-November call between the accused and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Shortly after, the police report was filed by another family member, claiming her sibling and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

Reacting to this, the accused filed her own affidavit asserting she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a proper training course. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role.

Other individuals were unavailable for a statement. An official representative said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate 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.

Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals including a media personality recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Meanwhile, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to take a child … I think that is sheer wickedness,” she said. “Promises were made that they weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”