🔗 Share this article ‘Outright Evil’: Heartbreak and Anger as South Africans Reportedly Deceived into Battling for Russian Forces 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 battle lines of the ongoing conflict between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with anxiety. “My health is truly suffering,” she stated, fatigue 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 is an immense struggle.” Her son was part of a group of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were tricked into fighting for Russia. The purported operation is connected with a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to emerge last month after the national authorities said it was attempting to assist nationals stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report alleging that several individuals had misled the men. This claim rippled through South Africa, where the broader situation has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Statistics show a large portion of young adults are unemployed and not studying. The men are believed to be caught in a war they never agreed to join, while their relatives far from home fear for their lives. The Initial Contact The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with the accused through a relative years ago. She stated that contact was made in the middle of the year with what was described as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country. Some of the men were allegedly told they would be trained as security personnel for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could enrol on a personal development programme, upon completion 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 just so rushed,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’” Political Connections The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who holds significant sway nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Russia date back many years. 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 backing for Russia. Online, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow. In another matter, she is currently on trial on accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during previous riots. She denies those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The group reportedly met at a travel hub in early July before traveling to Moscow. Communication records from online forums from July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns. In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. One message clearly read: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” In late August, the young man called his mother to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in Russian. 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 war since its outset. Official Actions and Family Despair Recently, the national leadership confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was working to bring them home. 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 complication to the situation. Initially, the group numbered twenty individuals, but three were allowed to come back. A subsequent conversation between the accused and relatives of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was filed by another relative, accusing 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 misled by another recruiter into believing it was a proper program. “I would not knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role. Other individuals could not be reached for comment. An official representative said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment. Broader Implications Authorities have indicated that hundreds of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment. Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans including a media personality recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia. Meanwhile, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they would not see combat 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 battle lines of the ongoing conflict between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with anxiety. “My health is truly suffering,” she stated, fatigue 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 is an immense struggle.” Her son was part of a group of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were tricked into fighting for Russia. The purported operation is connected with a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to emerge last month after the national authorities said it was attempting to assist nationals stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report alleging that several individuals had misled the men. This claim rippled through South Africa, where the broader situation has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Statistics show a large portion of young adults are unemployed and not studying. The men are believed to be caught in a war they never agreed to join, while their relatives far from home fear for their lives. The Initial Contact The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with the accused through a relative years ago. She stated that contact was made in the middle of the year with what was described as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country. Some of the men were allegedly told they would be trained as security personnel for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could enrol on a personal development programme, upon completion 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 just so rushed,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’” Political Connections The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who holds significant sway nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Russia date back many years. 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 backing for Russia. Online, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow. In another matter, she is currently on trial on accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during previous riots. She denies those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The group reportedly met at a travel hub in early July before traveling to Moscow. Communication records from online forums from July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns. In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. One message clearly read: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” In late August, the young man called his mother to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in Russian. 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 war since its outset. Official Actions and Family Despair Recently, the national leadership confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was working to bring them home. 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 complication to the situation. Initially, the group numbered twenty individuals, but three were allowed to come back. A subsequent conversation between the accused and relatives of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was filed by another relative, accusing 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 misled by another recruiter into believing it was a proper program. “I would not knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role. Other individuals could not be reached for comment. An official representative said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment. Broader Implications Authorities have indicated that hundreds of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment. Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans including a media personality recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia. Meanwhile, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they would not see combat and she lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”