🔗 Share this article ‘Outright Evil’: Anguish and Fury as South Africans Reportedly Deceived into Fighting for Russia A mother has not heard from her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he voiced concern that he was being sent to the battle lines of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. From that moment, 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 just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It is an immense struggle.” Her son 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 connected with a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to emerge recently after the South African government announced it was attempting to assist nationals trapped in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint claiming that several individuals had misled the men. The accusation sent shock waves through South Africa, where the broader situation has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Statistics show a substantial percentage of young adults are unemployed and not studying. These individuals 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. A Fateful Introduction Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to the accused through a relative years ago. She stated that contact was made in June with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country. 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 enrol on a personal development programme, after which they could study abroad and even secure foreign nationality. Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’” A Complex Backdrop The accused, is known as a fierce defender of her father, who holds significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Russia date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in advocating for stronger alliances with nations often at in conflict with Western powers. The accused has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. Online, she has shared posts aligning herself with the government in Moscow. Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of serious offenses related to social media activity during past unrest. She denies those charges. The Journey to War The men allegedly gathered at a travel hub in the summer before flying to Moscow. Communication records from online forums dated July and August reportedly show the group's concerns. In the following weeks, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, stating they were separated. One message explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.” In late August, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being forced to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. An agreement associated with another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been involved in the war since its beginning. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish In early November, the national leadership said it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government noted that assisting external armed forces without official permission is against the law. The political rift between the two political figures introduces an element of complexity to the situation. At first, the contingent numbered 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to return home. A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Soon thereafter, the police report was lodged by another relative, accusing her half-sister and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. Reacting to this, the accused filed her own affidavit claiming she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate training course. “I would not knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position. Other individuals could not be reached for a statement. An official representative said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to inquiries. A Wider Pattern Reports suggest that a significant number of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment. In a separate case, five more individuals among them a public figure recently appeared in court on charges relating to involvement for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could take a child … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”
A mother has not heard from her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he voiced concern that he was being sent to the battle lines of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. From that moment, 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 just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It is an immense struggle.” Her son 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 connected with a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to emerge recently after the South African government announced it was attempting to assist nationals trapped in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint claiming that several individuals had misled the men. The accusation sent shock waves through South Africa, where the broader situation has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Statistics show a substantial percentage of young adults are unemployed and not studying. These individuals 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. A Fateful Introduction Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to the accused through a relative years ago. She stated that contact was made in June with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country. 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 enrol on a personal development programme, after which they could study abroad and even secure foreign nationality. Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’” A Complex Backdrop The accused, is known as a fierce defender of her father, who holds significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Russia date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in advocating for stronger alliances with nations often at in conflict with Western powers. The accused has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. Online, she has shared posts aligning herself with the government in Moscow. Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of serious offenses related to social media activity during past unrest. She denies those charges. The Journey to War The men allegedly gathered at a travel hub in the summer before flying to Moscow. Communication records from online forums dated July and August reportedly show the group's concerns. In the following weeks, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, stating they were separated. One message explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.” In late August, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being forced to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. An agreement associated with another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been involved in the war since its beginning. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish In early November, the national leadership said it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government noted that assisting external armed forces without official permission is against the law. The political rift between the two political figures introduces an element of complexity to the situation. At first, the contingent numbered 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to return home. A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Soon thereafter, the police report was lodged by another relative, accusing her half-sister and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. Reacting to this, the accused filed her own affidavit claiming she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate training course. “I would not knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position. Other individuals could not be reached for a statement. An official representative said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to inquiries. A Wider Pattern Reports suggest that a significant number of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment. In a separate case, five more individuals among them a public figure recently appeared in court on charges relating to involvement for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could take a child … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”