‘Outright Evil’: Anguish and Anger as Citizens Allegedly Tricked into Battling for Russian Forces

One parent has not heard from her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the battle lines of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.

“My health is truly suffering,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. 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, according to legal filings, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russia. The purported operation is connected with a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Claims about the individual's role began to emerge last month following the South African government announced it was trying to help nationals stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that several individuals had misled the men.

This claim rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Statistics show a large portion of young adults are not in work or education.

The men are believed to be trapped 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 identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection years ago. She stated that an offer was presented 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 faction led by Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could join a personal development programme, upon completion they could study abroad and even obtain Russian citizenship.

Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the program and it was just so rushed,” she said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’”

Political Connections

Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a vocal supporter of her father, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Russia date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in pushing for closer relationships with nations often at in conflict with Western powers.

The accused has also publicly expressed her backing for Russia. Online, she has made statements aligning herself with the government in Moscow.

Separately, she is currently on trial on charges of serious offenses related to online posts during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

From Airport to Battlefield

The men reportedly met at a travel hub in early July before flying to Moscow. Communication records from online forums dated July and August reportedly show the group's concerns.

By mid-August, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were separated. A communication clearly read: “We are 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. A document associated with another member of the group appears to be a contract with a designated force that has been involved in the hostilities since its beginning.

Official Actions and Family Despair

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 assisting foreign militaries without state authorization is against the law.

A deep rivalry between current and former leaders adds a layer of complexity to the case. Initially, the contingent included 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to come back.

A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men allegedly provided no answers. Soon thereafter, the police report was filed by another relative, claiming her half-sister and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

Reacting to this, the accused submitted a statement claiming 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 were unavailable for a statement. A government spokesperson 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 citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about these activities.

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

Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “For someone to take a child … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”