🔗 Share this article ‘Utterly Wicked’: Anguish and Anger as South Africans Allegedly Deceived into Battling for Russia A mother has had no contact with her son since late August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with anxiety. “I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It is an immense struggle.” Her son was part of a group of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russia. The purported operation is connected with a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface last month following the national authorities said it was trying to help nationals stranded in Ukraine. Then, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men. The accusation sent shock waves through South Africa, where the wider scandal has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a large portion of young adults are unemployed and not studying. The men are thought to remain caught in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their families far from home fear for their lives. The Initial Contact Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla through a relative years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was described as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country. A portion of the group 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 personal development programme, after which they could study abroad and even secure Russian citizenship. Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the school and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’” Political Connections Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a vocal supporter of her parent, who holds significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Moscow date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in pushing for closer relationships with nations often at odds with Western powers. She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. On social media, she has shared posts aligning herself with 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. From Airport to Battlefield The group allegedly gathered at a major international airport in early July before flying to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups dated July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease. In the following weeks, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, stating they were separated. One message explicitly stated: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” Towards the month's end, the son contacted his parent to say he was being forced to sign a contract in Russian. A document associated with another member of the group appears to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been involved in the hostilities since its outset. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish In early November, the national leadership said it had received distress calls the men and was working to bring them home. The government noted that recruiting for foreign militaries without official permission is illegal. A deep rivalry between current and former leaders introduces an element of complication to the case. At first, the group numbered twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to come back. A subsequent conversation between the accused and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another family member, claiming her half-sister and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force. In response, the accused submitted a statement asserting she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a legitimate program. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position. Other individuals 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 inquiries. A Wider Pattern Reports suggest that a significant number of citizens from African countries are serving with Moscow's military 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 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 take a child … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”
A mother has had no contact with her son since late August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with anxiety. “I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It is an immense struggle.” Her son was part of a group of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russia. The purported operation is connected with a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface last month following the national authorities said it was trying to help nationals stranded in Ukraine. Then, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men. The accusation sent shock waves through South Africa, where the wider scandal has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a large portion of young adults are unemployed and not studying. The men are thought to remain caught in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their families far from home fear for their lives. The Initial Contact Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla through a relative years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was described as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country. A portion of the group 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 personal development programme, after which they could study abroad and even secure Russian citizenship. Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the school and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’” Political Connections Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a vocal supporter of her parent, who holds significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Moscow date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in pushing for closer relationships with nations often at odds with Western powers. She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. On social media, she has shared posts aligning herself with 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. From Airport to Battlefield The group allegedly gathered at a major international airport in early July before flying to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups dated July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease. In the following weeks, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, stating they were separated. One message explicitly stated: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” Towards the month's end, the son contacted his parent to say he was being forced to sign a contract in Russian. A document associated with another member of the group appears to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been involved in the hostilities since its outset. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish In early November, the national leadership said it had received distress calls the men and was working to bring them home. The government noted that recruiting for foreign militaries without official permission is illegal. A deep rivalry between current and former leaders introduces an element of complication to the case. At first, the group numbered twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to come back. A subsequent conversation between the accused and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another family member, claiming her half-sister and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force. In response, the accused submitted a statement asserting she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a legitimate program. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position. Other individuals 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 inquiries. A Wider Pattern Reports suggest that a significant number of citizens from African countries are serving with Moscow's military 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 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 take a child … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”