🔗 Share this article ‘Outright Evil’: Anguish and Anger as South Africans Reportedly Tricked into Battling for Russia A mother has not heard from her son since late August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the war between Russia and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with anxiety. “My health is truly suffering,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.” The young man was part of a group of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is connected with a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Claims about the individual's role began to surface recently following the national authorities announced it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint alleging that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men. The accusation rippled through the nation, where the broader situation has highlighted the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a large portion of under-35s are unemployed and not studying. These individuals are thought to remain caught in a war they did not sign up for, while their families thousands of miles away dread for their lives. A Fateful Introduction Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to the accused via a family connection years ago. She stated that contact was made in June 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. Others were allegedly told they could join a personal development programme, after which they could attend a Russian university and even obtain foreign nationality. Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’” Political Connections The accused, has long been a vocal supporter of her parent, who retains significant sway nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Moscow date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in advocating for closer relationships with countries often at in conflict with Western powers. The accused has also frequently declared her support of 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 social media activity during previous riots. She denies those charges. The Journey to War The group allegedly gathered at a travel hub in the summer before flying to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups from July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease. By mid-August, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were separated. A communication clearly read: “We have been placed with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.” In late August, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being forced 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 specific military unit that has been active in the war since its beginning. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish In early November, the national leadership confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government emphasized that assisting foreign militaries without official permission is against the law. The political rift between current and former leaders adds a layer of complication to the situation. At first, the group included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to come back. A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Soon thereafter, the police report was filed by another family member, accusing her half-sister and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. Reacting to this, the accused filed her own affidavit asserting she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate program. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position. Other individuals could not be reached for comment. An official representative said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to requests for comment. Broader Implications Authorities have indicated that hundreds of citizens from African countries are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about these activities. In a separate case, five more individuals among them a public figure recently faced a judge on charges relating to involvement for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, the mother 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 betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”
A mother has not heard from her son since late August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the war between Russia and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with anxiety. “My health is truly suffering,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.” The young man was part of a group of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is connected with a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Claims about the individual's role began to surface recently following the national authorities announced it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint alleging that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men. The accusation rippled through the nation, where the broader situation has highlighted the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a large portion of under-35s are unemployed and not studying. These individuals are thought to remain caught in a war they did not sign up for, while their families thousands of miles away dread for their lives. A Fateful Introduction Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to the accused via a family connection years ago. She stated that contact was made in June 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. Others were allegedly told they could join a personal development programme, after which they could attend a Russian university and even obtain foreign nationality. Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’” Political Connections The accused, has long been a vocal supporter of her parent, who retains significant sway nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Moscow date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in advocating for closer relationships with countries often at in conflict with Western powers. The accused has also frequently declared her support of 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 social media activity during previous riots. She denies those charges. The Journey to War The group allegedly gathered at a travel hub in the summer before flying to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups from July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease. By mid-August, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were separated. A communication clearly read: “We have been placed with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.” In late August, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being forced 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 specific military unit that has been active in the war since its beginning. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish In early November, the national leadership confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government emphasized that assisting foreign militaries without official permission is against the law. The political rift between current and former leaders adds a layer of complication to the situation. At first, the group included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to come back. A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Soon thereafter, the police report was filed by another family member, accusing her half-sister and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. Reacting to this, the accused filed her own affidavit asserting she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate program. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position. Other individuals could not be reached for comment. An official representative said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to requests for comment. Broader Implications Authorities have indicated that hundreds of citizens from African countries are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about these activities. In a separate case, five more individuals among them a public figure recently faced a judge on charges relating to involvement for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, the mother 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 betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”