🔗 Share this article ‘Utterly Wicked’: Anguish and Fury as South Africans Reportedly Deceived into Fighting for Russia One parent has had no contact with her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the war between Russia and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with worry. “My health is truly suffering,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.” The young man was among a contingent of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were tricked into serving with Russia. The alleged scheme is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Allegations about the individual's involvement began to surface last month after the national authorities said it was trying to help citizens stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men. The accusation rippled through South Africa, where the wider scandal has highlighted the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a large portion of young adults are not in work or education. The men are believed to be trapped in a war they did not sign up for, while their families far from home dread for their lives. A Fateful Introduction Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with the accused through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that contact was made in June with what was presented as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country. A portion of the group were reportedly promised they would be trained as bodyguards for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could join a self-improvement course, after which they could attend a Russian university and even secure Russian citizenship. Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’” A Complex Backdrop Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who retains significant sway nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Moscow date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in advocating for closer relationships with nations often at in conflict with Western powers. The accused has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. On social media, she has shared posts aligning herself with the government in Moscow. Separately, she is currently on trial on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The men reportedly met at a travel hub in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups dated July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease. By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, stating they were being split up. One message clearly read: “We are with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.” In late August, the son called his mother to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. A document linked to another member of the group appears to be a contract with a designated force that has been active in the hostilities 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 emphasized that recruiting for external armed forces without official permission is illegal. A deep rivalry between current and former leaders introduces an element of complication to the situation. Initially, the group numbered twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to come back. A mid-November call between the accused and relatives of the men allegedly provided no answers. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was filed by another relative, accusing her half-sister and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force. Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit claiming she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a legitimate program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down 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. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment. Broader Implications Authorities have indicated that hundreds of African nationals are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment. In a separate case, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia. Meanwhile, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … That constitutes sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”
One parent has had no contact with her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the war between Russia and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with worry. “My health is truly suffering,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.” The young man was among a contingent of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were tricked into serving with Russia. The alleged scheme is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Allegations about the individual's involvement began to surface last month after the national authorities said it was trying to help citizens stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men. The accusation rippled through South Africa, where the wider scandal has highlighted the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a large portion of young adults are not in work or education. The men are believed to be trapped in a war they did not sign up for, while their families far from home dread for their lives. A Fateful Introduction Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with the accused through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that contact was made in June with what was presented as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country. A portion of the group were reportedly promised they would be trained as bodyguards for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could join a self-improvement course, after which they could attend a Russian university and even secure Russian citizenship. Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’” A Complex Backdrop Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who retains significant sway nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Moscow date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in advocating for closer relationships with nations often at in conflict with Western powers. The accused has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. On social media, she has shared posts aligning herself with the government in Moscow. Separately, she is currently on trial on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The men reportedly met at a travel hub in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups dated July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease. By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, stating they were being split up. One message clearly read: “We are with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.” In late August, the son called his mother to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. A document linked to another member of the group appears to be a contract with a designated force that has been active in the hostilities 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 emphasized that recruiting for external armed forces without official permission is illegal. A deep rivalry between current and former leaders introduces an element of complication to the situation. Initially, the group numbered twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to come back. A mid-November call between the accused and relatives of the men allegedly provided no answers. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was filed by another relative, accusing her half-sister and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force. Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit claiming she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a legitimate program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down 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. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment. Broader Implications Authorities have indicated that hundreds of African nationals are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment. In a separate case, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia. Meanwhile, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … That constitutes sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”