🔗 Share this article ‘Outright Evil’: Heartbreak and Anger as South Africans Allegedly Tricked into Battling 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 Russia and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety. “My health is truly suffering,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. 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 multiple lawsuits, were tricked into fighting for Russia. The alleged scheme is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Allegations about the individual's involvement began to emerge recently after the national authorities announced it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in the war zone. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men. This claim rippled through South Africa, where the broader situation has highlighted the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of young adults are unemployed and not studying. These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a war they did not sign up for, while their families thousands of miles away dread for their lives. A Fateful Introduction Mary, whose identity is protected, 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 the middle of the year with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country. Some of the men were allegedly told they would be trained as bodyguards for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could join a personal development programme, after which they could study abroad and even secure Russian citizenship. Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’” Political Connections Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a vocal supporter of her parent, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Russia date back many years. The former president has been at the forefront in pushing for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers. The accused has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. On social media, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow. Separately, she is currently on trial on charges of serious offenses related to online posts during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. The Journey to War The men reportedly met at a major international airport in the summer before flying to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups from July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease. By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were separated. A communication clearly read: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.” Towards the month's end, the son contacted his parent to say he was being forced to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. A document associated with another member of the group appears to be a contract with a designated force that has been active in the hostilities since its beginning. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish Recently, the office of the South African president said it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government noted that assisting foreign militaries without official permission is against the law. The political rift between current and former leaders adds a layer of complication to the case. Initially, the group included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to return home. A mid-November call between the accused and relatives of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Shortly after, the formal allegation was lodged by another relative, accusing her half-sister and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force. Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement claiming she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a proper program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position. The other named recruiters were unavailable for a statement. An official representative said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to requests for comment. Broader Implications Reports suggest that a significant number of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment. In a separate case, five more individuals including a media personality recently appeared in court on charges relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia. Meanwhile, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “For someone to take a child … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”
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 Russia and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety. “My health is truly suffering,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. 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 multiple lawsuits, were tricked into fighting for Russia. The alleged scheme is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Allegations about the individual's involvement began to emerge recently after the national authorities announced it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in the war zone. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men. This claim rippled through South Africa, where the broader situation has highlighted the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of young adults are unemployed and not studying. These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a war they did not sign up for, while their families thousands of miles away dread for their lives. A Fateful Introduction Mary, whose identity is protected, 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 the middle of the year with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country. Some of the men were allegedly told they would be trained as bodyguards for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could join a personal development programme, after which they could study abroad and even secure Russian citizenship. Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’” Political Connections Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a vocal supporter of her parent, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Russia date back many years. The former president has been at the forefront in pushing for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers. The accused has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. On social media, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow. Separately, she is currently on trial on charges of serious offenses related to online posts during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. The Journey to War The men reportedly met at a major international airport in the summer before flying to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups from July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease. By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were separated. A communication clearly read: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.” Towards the month's end, the son contacted his parent to say he was being forced to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. A document associated with another member of the group appears to be a contract with a designated force that has been active in the hostilities since its beginning. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish Recently, the office of the South African president said it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government noted that assisting foreign militaries without official permission is against the law. The political rift between current and former leaders adds a layer of complication to the case. Initially, the group included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to return home. A mid-November call between the accused and relatives of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Shortly after, the formal allegation was lodged by another relative, accusing her half-sister and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force. Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement claiming she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a proper program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position. The other named recruiters were unavailable for a statement. An official representative said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to requests for comment. Broader Implications Reports suggest that a significant number of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment. In a separate case, five more individuals including a media personality recently appeared in court on charges relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia. Meanwhile, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “For someone to take a child … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”