🔗 Share this article ‘Utterly Wicked’: Heartbreak and Fury as South Africans Allegedly Deceived into Battling for Russia A mother has not heard from her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he voiced concern that he was being sent to the frontlines of the ongoing conflict between Russia 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. 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, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to surface recently following the national authorities announced it was attempting to assist nationals trapped in Ukraine. Then, in a dramatic development, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint alleging that several individuals had misled the men. The accusation rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Statistics show a large portion of young adults are not in work or education. These individuals are thought to remain caught in a war they never agreed to join, while their families far from home dread for their lives. The Initial Contact The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with the accused via a family connection years ago. 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 trained as bodyguards for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could enrol on a self-improvement course, upon completion they could study abroad and even secure foreign nationality. Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’” Political Connections The accused, has long been a vocal supporter of her father, who holds significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Russia date back decades. The former president has been a leading figure in pushing for closer relationships with countries often at odds with Western powers. She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. On social media, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow. In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations 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 traveling to Moscow. Communication records from online forums dated July and August reportedly show the group's concerns. In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were being split up. One message clearly read: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” Towards the month's end, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being forced to agree to terms in Russian. A document linked to another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been active in the hostilities since its outset. Official Actions and Family Despair In early November, the national leadership confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government noted that recruiting for external armed forces without official permission is illegal. A deep rivalry between current and former leaders adds a layer of complication to the situation. Initially, the group numbered 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to come back. A subsequent conversation between the accused and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was lodged by another family member, accusing her sibling and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. In response, the accused filed her own affidavit claiming she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a proper program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position. Other individuals could not be reached for comment. An official representative said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment. A Wider Pattern Authorities have indicated that hundreds of citizens from African countries are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about these activities. In a separate case, five more individuals among them a public figure recently appeared in court on charges relating to involvement for Russia. Meanwhile, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “For someone to exploit a young person … I think that is sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”
A mother has not heard from her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he voiced concern that he was being sent to the frontlines of the ongoing conflict between Russia 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. 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, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to surface recently following the national authorities announced it was attempting to assist nationals trapped in Ukraine. Then, in a dramatic development, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint alleging that several individuals had misled the men. The accusation rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Statistics show a large portion of young adults are not in work or education. These individuals are thought to remain caught in a war they never agreed to join, while their families far from home dread for their lives. The Initial Contact The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with the accused via a family connection years ago. 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 trained as bodyguards for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could enrol on a self-improvement course, upon completion they could study abroad and even secure foreign nationality. Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’” Political Connections The accused, has long been a vocal supporter of her father, who holds significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Russia date back decades. The former president has been a leading figure in pushing for closer relationships with countries often at odds with Western powers. She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. On social media, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow. In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations 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 traveling to Moscow. Communication records from online forums dated July and August reportedly show the group's concerns. In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were being split up. One message clearly read: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” Towards the month's end, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being forced to agree to terms in Russian. A document linked to another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been active in the hostilities since its outset. Official Actions and Family Despair In early November, the national leadership confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government noted that recruiting for external armed forces without official permission is illegal. A deep rivalry between current and former leaders adds a layer of complication to the situation. Initially, the group numbered 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to come back. A subsequent conversation between the accused and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was lodged by another family member, accusing her sibling and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. In response, the accused filed her own affidavit claiming she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a proper program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position. Other individuals could not be reached for comment. An official representative said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment. A Wider Pattern Authorities have indicated that hundreds of citizens from African countries are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about these activities. In a separate case, five more individuals among them a public figure recently appeared in court on charges relating to involvement for Russia. Meanwhile, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “For someone to exploit a young person … I think that is sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”