🔗 Share this article ‘Outright Evil’: Heartbreak and Fury as South Africans Reportedly Deceived into Fighting for Russian Forces A mother has not heard from her son since late August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. From that moment, 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. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.” The young man was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russia. The alleged scheme is linked to a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Claims about the individual's involvement began to surface recently following the national authorities said it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that several individuals had misled the men. This claim rippled through South Africa, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Statistics show a substantial percentage of young adults are unemployed and not studying. The men are believed to be trapped in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their relatives thousands of miles away fear for their lives. A Fateful Introduction The mother, whose name has been changed, 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 security personnel for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could join a personal development programme, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even obtain Russian citizenship. Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the program and it was just so rushed,” the mother 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 father, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Russia date back many years. The former president has been at the forefront in pushing for closer relationships with nations often at odds with Western powers. The accused has also frequently declared her support of Russia. On social media, she has made statements aligning herself with the government in Moscow. Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of serious offenses related to social media activity during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. The Journey to War The men allegedly gathered at a travel hub in early July before traveling to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups from July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease. By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, stating they were separated. One message explicitly stated: “We are with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” Towards the month's end, the son called his mother to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. A document associated with another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been active in the war since its outset. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish In early November, the national leadership said it had been contacted by the men and was working to secure their return. The government noted that assisting external armed forces without official permission is illegal. The political rift between current and former leaders introduces an element of complexity to the situation. Initially, the contingent included 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to return home. A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Shortly after, the police report was filed by another relative, accusing her sibling and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. In response, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit claiming she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role. The other named recruiters could not be reached for comment. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment. A Wider Pattern Reports suggest that a significant number of African nationals are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment. 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. Meanwhile, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “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 battle lines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. From that moment, 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. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.” The young man was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russia. The alleged scheme is linked to a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Claims about the individual's involvement began to surface recently following the national authorities said it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that several individuals had misled the men. This claim rippled through South Africa, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Statistics show a substantial percentage of young adults are unemployed and not studying. The men are believed to be trapped in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their relatives thousands of miles away fear for their lives. A Fateful Introduction The mother, whose name has been changed, 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 security personnel for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could join a personal development programme, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even obtain Russian citizenship. Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the program and it was just so rushed,” the mother 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 father, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Russia date back many years. The former president has been at the forefront in pushing for closer relationships with nations often at odds with Western powers. The accused has also frequently declared her support of Russia. On social media, she has made statements aligning herself with the government in Moscow. Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of serious offenses related to social media activity during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. The Journey to War The men allegedly gathered at a travel hub in early July before traveling to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups from July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease. By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, stating they were separated. One message explicitly stated: “We are with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” Towards the month's end, the son called his mother to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. A document associated with another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been active in the war since its outset. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish In early November, the national leadership said it had been contacted by the men and was working to secure their return. The government noted that assisting external armed forces without official permission is illegal. The political rift between current and former leaders introduces an element of complexity to the situation. Initially, the contingent included 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to return home. A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Shortly after, the police report was filed by another relative, accusing her sibling and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. In response, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit claiming she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role. The other named recruiters could not be reached for comment. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment. A Wider Pattern Reports suggest that a significant number of African nationals are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment. 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. Meanwhile, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “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?”