🔗 Share this article ‘Outright Evil’: Heartbreak and Anger as Citizens Allegedly Tricked into Battling for Russian Forces One parent has had no contact with her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the battle lines of the war between Russia and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with worry. “My health is truly suffering,” she said, 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’s not easy for me.” The young man was part of a group of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in legal filings, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to emerge last month after the South African government said it was trying to help citizens trapped in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that several individuals had misled the men. The accusation sent shock waves through the nation, where the broader situation has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a large portion of under-35s are unemployed and not studying. These individuals are believed to be trapped in a conflict they never agreed to join, 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 the accused through a relative years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was presented as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country. A portion of the group were reportedly promised they would be trained as bodyguards for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could enrol on a personal development programme, 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 just so rushed,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’” A Complex Backdrop The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Russia date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure 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 shared posts showing solidarity to the government in Moscow. In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings 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 reportedly met at a travel hub in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Communication records from online forums from July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease. By mid-August, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. A communication explicitly stated: “We have been placed 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 a language he did not understand. An agreement associated with another member of the group appears to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been active in the war since its outset. Official Actions and Family Despair Recently, the office of the South African president confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government emphasized that recruiting for foreign militaries without official permission is illegal. The political rift between current and former leaders adds a layer of complexity to the case. Initially, the contingent numbered 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to return home. A subsequent conversation between the accused and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. 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 submitted a statement asserting she had been deceived by an associate 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. Other individuals were unavailable for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to inquiries. Broader Implications Reports suggest that a significant number of African nationals are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about these activities. Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals including a media personality recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia. Meanwhile, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to take a child … 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?”
One parent has had no contact with her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the battle lines of the war between Russia and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with worry. “My health is truly suffering,” she said, 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’s not easy for me.” The young man was part of a group of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in legal filings, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to emerge last month after the South African government said it was trying to help citizens trapped in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that several individuals had misled the men. The accusation sent shock waves through the nation, where the broader situation has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a large portion of under-35s are unemployed and not studying. These individuals are believed to be trapped in a conflict they never agreed to join, 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 the accused through a relative years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was presented as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country. A portion of the group were reportedly promised they would be trained as bodyguards for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could enrol on a personal development programme, 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 just so rushed,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’” A Complex Backdrop The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Russia date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure 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 shared posts showing solidarity to the government in Moscow. In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings 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 reportedly met at a travel hub in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Communication records from online forums from July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease. By mid-August, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. A communication explicitly stated: “We have been placed 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 a language he did not understand. An agreement associated with another member of the group appears to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been active in the war since its outset. Official Actions and Family Despair Recently, the office of the South African president confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government emphasized that recruiting for foreign militaries without official permission is illegal. The political rift between current and former leaders adds a layer of complexity to the case. Initially, the contingent numbered 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to return home. A subsequent conversation between the accused and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. 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 submitted a statement asserting she had been deceived by an associate 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. Other individuals were unavailable for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to inquiries. Broader Implications Reports suggest that a significant number of African nationals are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about these activities. Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals including a media personality recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia. Meanwhile, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to take a child … 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?”