🔗 Share this article ‘Outright Evil’: Anguish and Fury as Citizens Allegedly Tricked into Battling for Russia One parent has not heard from her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, 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 physically unwell with anxiety. “I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. 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 deceptively recruited for serving with Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to emerge last month after the South African government announced it was attempting to assist nationals trapped in the war zone. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men. This claim rippled through South Africa, where the broader situation has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Statistics show a large portion of under-35s are not in work or education. The men are believed to be caught in a war they did not sign up for, while their relatives thousands of miles away fear for their lives. The Initial Contact The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was described as an exciting opportunity in Russia. Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be trained as security personnel for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could join a self-improvement course, after which they could study abroad and even obtain foreign nationality. Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’” A Complex Backdrop The accused, is known as a vocal supporter of her father, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Russia date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in advocating for closer relationships with nations often at odds with Western powers. She has also frequently declared her support of Russia. Online, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow. In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during past unrest. She denies those charges. The Journey to War The group allegedly gathered at a travel hub in early July before traveling to Moscow. Communication records from online forums from July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease. By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. One message clearly read: “We have been placed with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” In late August, the son called his mother to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. An agreement associated with another member of the group appears to be a contract with a designated force that has been active in the hostilities since its beginning. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish In early November, the national leadership said 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 adds a layer of complexity to the situation. At first, the group included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to come back. A subsequent conversation between the accused and relatives of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Soon thereafter, the police report was lodged by another relative, claiming her sibling and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. In response, the accused filed her own affidavit claiming she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a proper training course. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position. The other named recruiters were unavailable for comment. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to requests for comment. Broader Implications Authorities have indicated that a significant number of citizens from African countries are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about these activities. In a separate case, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently faced a judge on charges relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could take a child … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they would not see combat and she lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”
One parent has not heard from her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, 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 physically unwell with anxiety. “I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. 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 deceptively recruited for serving with Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to emerge last month after the South African government announced it was attempting to assist nationals trapped in the war zone. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men. This claim rippled through South Africa, where the broader situation has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Statistics show a large portion of under-35s are not in work or education. The men are believed to be caught in a war they did not sign up for, while their relatives thousands of miles away fear for their lives. The Initial Contact The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was described as an exciting opportunity in Russia. Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be trained as security personnel for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could join a self-improvement course, after which they could study abroad and even obtain foreign nationality. Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’” A Complex Backdrop The accused, is known as a vocal supporter of her father, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Russia date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in advocating for closer relationships with nations often at odds with Western powers. She has also frequently declared her support of Russia. Online, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow. In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during past unrest. She denies those charges. The Journey to War The group allegedly gathered at a travel hub in early July before traveling to Moscow. Communication records from online forums from July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease. By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. One message clearly read: “We have been placed with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” In late August, the son called his mother to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. An agreement associated with another member of the group appears to be a contract with a designated force that has been active in the hostilities since its beginning. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish In early November, the national leadership said 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 adds a layer of complexity to the situation. At first, the group included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to come back. A subsequent conversation between the accused and relatives of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Soon thereafter, the police report was lodged by another relative, claiming her sibling and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. In response, the accused filed her own affidavit claiming she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a proper training course. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position. The other named recruiters were unavailable for comment. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to requests for comment. Broader Implications Authorities have indicated that a significant number of citizens from African countries are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about these activities. In a separate case, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently faced a judge on charges relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could take a child … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they would not see combat and she lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”