‘Utterly Wicked’: Anguish and Fury as Citizens Allegedly Tricked into Battling for Russian Forces

One parent has had no contact with her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being sent to the battle lines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she said, exhaustion 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.”

The young man was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russia. The purported operation is linked to a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to surface last month after the national authorities said it was trying to help citizens stranded in the war zone. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report claiming 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 many of its young people. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of young adults are not in work or education.

The men are believed to be caught in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their families far from home fear for their lives.

A Fateful Introduction

The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in Russia.

Some of the men were allegedly told they would be trained as security personnel for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could join a self-improvement course, after which they could attend a Russian university and even obtain Russian citizenship.

Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’”

Political Connections

The accused, is known as a vocal supporter of her father, who retains significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Moscow date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in pushing for closer relationships with countries often at odds with Western powers.

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

Separately, she is currently on trial 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 group allegedly gathered at a major international airport in early July before traveling to Moscow. Messages from online forums dated July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease.

In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were separated. A communication clearly read: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in Russian. A document linked to another member of the group seems to be a contract 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 recruiting for external armed forces without state authorization is against the law.

A deep rivalry between the two political figures adds a layer of complexity to the situation. Initially, the contingent numbered twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to come back.

A mid-November call between the accused and families of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Soon thereafter, the police report was filed 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, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement asserting she had been misled by an associate into believing it was a proper program. “I would not knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position.

Other individuals were unavailable for a statement. 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 a significant number of African nationals are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment.

Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans including a media personality recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia.

Meanwhile, the mother continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to exploit a young person … I think that is sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”