‘Outright Evil’: Anguish and Anger as South Africans Allegedly Tricked into Fighting for Russia

A mother has had no contact with her son since late August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the ongoing conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with worry.

“My health is truly suffering,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It is an immense struggle.”

Her son was among a contingent of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russia. The alleged scheme is connected with a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Claims about the individual's involvement began to emerge recently after the national authorities announced it was attempting to assist nationals trapped in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men.

The accusation rippled through South Africa, where the broader situation has shone a light on the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Statistics show a substantial percentage of under-35s are unemployed and not studying.

The men are thought to remain caught in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their relatives thousands of miles away fear for their lives.

The Initial Contact

Mary, 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 contact was made in June with what was described as an exciting opportunity in Russia.

Some of the men were allegedly told they would be trained as bodyguards for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could join a personal development programme, upon completion 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. “The message was: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’”

Political Connections

The accused, has long been a vocal supporter of her parent, who retains significant sway nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Russia date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in advocating for stronger alliances with nations often at in conflict with Western powers.

The accused has also frequently declared 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 accusations of serious offenses related to social media activity during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

The Journey to War

The men allegedly gathered at a major international airport in early July before traveling to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups dated July and August reportedly show the group's concerns.

In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. One message explicitly stated: “We are 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 forced to sign a contract in Russian. An agreement associated with another member of the group seems to be a contract with a designated force that has been involved in the war since its outset.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

Recently, the office of the South African president confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was working to bring them home. The government noted that recruiting for foreign militaries without official permission is illegal.

A deep rivalry between the two political figures introduces an element of complexity to the situation. Initially, the contingent included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to come back.

A subsequent conversation between the accused and relatives of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Soon thereafter, 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.

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

The other named recruiters were unavailable for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to inquiries.

Broader Implications

Reports suggest that hundreds of African nationals are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment.

Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans including a media personality recently appeared in court on charges relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could take a child … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”