🔗 Share this article ‘Outright Evil’: Anguish and Fury as South Africans Allegedly Deceived into Battling for Russia A mother has had no contact with her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the frontlines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with anxiety. “I’m honestly really sick,” she said, exhaustion 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.” The young man was part of a group of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russian military forces. The purported operation is linked to a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to surface recently after the national authorities announced it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men. The accusation sent shock waves through South Africa, where the broader situation has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Statistics show a substantial percentage of young adults are unemployed and not studying. These individuals are believed to be caught in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their relatives far from home fear for their lives. A Fateful Introduction Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with the accused through a relative years ago. 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 instructed to become security personnel for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could join a personal development programme, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even obtain foreign nationality. 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 Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Russia date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in pushing for closer relationships with countries often at odds with Western powers. She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. Online, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the government in Moscow. In another matter, she is currently on trial on charges of serious offenses related to social media activity during past unrest. She denies those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The men reportedly met at a major international airport in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups from July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease. By mid-August, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were being split up. One message explicitly stated: “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. An agreement associated with another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been involved in the hostilities since its outset. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish Recently, the office of the South African president said it had been contacted by the men and was working to secure their return. The government noted that assisting 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 a few were permitted to return home. A subsequent conversation between the accused and families of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another relative, claiming her half-sister and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. In response, the accused filed her own affidavit claiming she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate training course. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position. The other named recruiters were unavailable for comment. An official representative said there was “no update” 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 African nationals are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about these activities. Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals among them a public figure recently appeared in court on charges relating to involvement for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to exploit a young person … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”
A mother has had no contact with her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the frontlines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with anxiety. “I’m honestly really sick,” she said, exhaustion 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.” The young man was part of a group of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russian military forces. The purported operation is linked to a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to surface recently after the national authorities announced it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men. The accusation sent shock waves through South Africa, where the broader situation has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Statistics show a substantial percentage of young adults are unemployed and not studying. These individuals are believed to be caught in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their relatives far from home fear for their lives. A Fateful Introduction Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with the accused through a relative years ago. 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 instructed to become security personnel for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could join a personal development programme, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even obtain foreign nationality. 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 Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Russia date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in pushing for closer relationships with countries often at odds with Western powers. She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. Online, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the government in Moscow. In another matter, she is currently on trial on charges of serious offenses related to social media activity during past unrest. She denies those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The men reportedly met at a major international airport in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups from July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease. By mid-August, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were being split up. One message explicitly stated: “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. An agreement associated with another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been involved in the hostilities since its outset. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish Recently, the office of the South African president said it had been contacted by the men and was working to secure their return. The government noted that assisting 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 a few were permitted to return home. A subsequent conversation between the accused and families of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another relative, claiming her half-sister and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. In response, the accused filed her own affidavit claiming she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate training course. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position. The other named recruiters were unavailable for comment. An official representative said there was “no update” 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 African nationals are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about these activities. Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals among them a public figure recently appeared in court on charges relating to involvement for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to exploit a young person … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”