‘Utterly Wicked’: Anguish and Anger as Citizens Reportedly Tricked into Battling for Russian Forces

One parent has not heard from her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the ongoing conflict between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.

“My health is truly suffering,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.”

The young man was part of a group of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russian military forces. The purported operation is linked to a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface recently following the South African government said it was attempting to assist citizens trapped in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men.

This claim rippled through South Africa, where the wider scandal has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Statistics show a large portion of young adults are not in work or education.

The men are thought to remain trapped in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their relatives far from home fear for their lives.

The Initial Contact

The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla through a relative years ago. She stated that contact was made in the middle of the year with what was described as an exciting opportunity 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 allegedly told they could join a self-improvement course, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even obtain foreign nationality.

Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’”

A Complex Backdrop

Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a vocal supporter of her parent, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Moscow date back many years. The former president has been a leading figure in pushing for closer relationships with countries often at odds with Western powers.

The accused has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. Online, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow.

Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of serious offenses related to social media activity during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

The Journey to War

The men allegedly gathered at a major international airport in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups from July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease.

In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were being split up. A communication explicitly stated: “We are with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

In late August, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in Russian. A document associated with another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been involved in the hostilities since its beginning.

Official Actions and Family Despair

Recently, the national leadership said it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government emphasized that assisting foreign militaries without state authorization is illegal.

The political rift between the two political figures adds a layer of complication to the situation. At first, the contingent numbered twenty individuals, but three were allowed to return home.

A mid-November call between the accused and relatives of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Shortly after, the police report was filed by another family member, claiming her half-sister and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

In response, the accused submitted a statement claiming she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her elected role.

Other individuals were unavailable for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to requests for comment.

A Wider Pattern

Reports suggest that hundreds of African nationals are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment.

Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals among them a public figure recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they weren’t going to war and she lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”