‘Utterly Wicked’: Heartbreak and Anger as Citizens Allegedly Deceived into Battling for Russia
One parent has not heard from her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the ongoing conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with worry.
“I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It is an immense struggle.”
Her son was part of a group of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma.
A Startling Allegation
Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to emerge last month after the national authorities said it was attempting to assist citizens trapped in the war zone. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men.
The accusation rippled through South Africa, where the broader situation has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of under-35s are not in work or education.
The men are believed to be caught in a war they never agreed to join, while their families thousands of miles away fear for their lives.
The Initial Contact
The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with 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 the foreign country.
A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could join a personal development programme, after which they could study abroad and even secure foreign nationality.
Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’”
A Complex Backdrop
The accused, is known as a vocal supporter of her parent, who holds significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Russia date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in pushing for closer relationships with nations often at in conflict with Western powers.
The accused has also frequently declared her support of Russia. Online, she has shared posts aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow.
In another matter, she is currently on trial on accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.
From Airport to Battlefield
The group allegedly gathered at a major international airport in early July before flying to Moscow. Messages from online forums dated July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease.
By mid-August, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were separated. A communication explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in 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 service agreement with a designated force that has been active in the war since its outset.
Official Actions and Family Despair
Recently, the national leadership said it had received distress calls the men and was working to bring them home. The government noted that assisting external armed forces without official permission is against the law.
A deep rivalry between current and former leaders introduces an element of complication to the situation. At first, the group numbered twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to return home.
A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Soon thereafter, the police report was filed by another family member, accusing her half-sister and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.
Reacting to this, the accused filed her own affidavit asserting she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a legitimate training course. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her elected role.
The other named recruiters could not be reached for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to inquiries.
Broader Implications
Reports suggest that hundreds of African nationals are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment.
In a separate case, several other South Africans including a media personality recently faced a judge on charges relating to involvement for Russia.
Meanwhile, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “For someone to 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?”
