🔗 Share this article ‘Utterly Wicked’: Heartbreak and Fury as Citizens Reportedly Tricked into Battling for Russia One parent has not heard from her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the frontlines of the war between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with worry. “My health is truly suffering,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It is an immense struggle.” The young man was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in legal filings, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russia. The purported operation is connected with a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Allegations about the individual's role began to emerge last month following the South African government announced it was attempting to assist nationals stranded in Ukraine. Then, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report claiming that several individuals had misled the men. The accusation rippled through South Africa, where the broader situation has shone a light on the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a large portion of young adults are not in work or education. These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their relatives far from home fear for their lives. The Initial Contact Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla through a relative years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was described as an lucrative prospect in Russia. A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could join a self-improvement course, after which they could study abroad and even obtain foreign nationality. Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’” Political Connections Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a vocal supporter of her parent, who holds significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Moscow date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in pushing for stronger alliances with countries often at odds with Western powers. She has also frequently declared her support of Russia. On social media, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the government in Moscow. In another matter, she is currently on trial on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during past unrest. She denies those charges. The Journey to War The group allegedly gathered at a major international airport in the summer before flying to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease. By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, 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 contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in Russian. An agreement associated with another member of the group seems to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been active in the war since its outset. Official Actions and Family Despair In early November, the national leadership said it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government emphasized that assisting foreign militaries without state authorization is against the law. The political rift between the two political figures adds a layer of complication to the situation. At first, the group included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to return home. A subsequent conversation between the accused and relatives of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was filed by another family member, claiming her half-sister and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force. In response, 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 were unavailable for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to inquiries. Broader Implications Authorities have indicated 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 including a media personality recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could take a child … I think that is 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?”
One parent has not heard from her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the frontlines of the war between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with worry. “My health is truly suffering,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It is an immense struggle.” The young man was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in legal filings, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russia. The purported operation is connected with a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Allegations about the individual's role began to emerge last month following the South African government announced it was attempting to assist nationals stranded in Ukraine. Then, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report claiming that several individuals had misled the men. The accusation rippled through South Africa, where the broader situation has shone a light on the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a large portion of young adults are not in work or education. These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their relatives far from home fear for their lives. The Initial Contact Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla through a relative years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was described as an lucrative prospect in Russia. A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could join a self-improvement course, after which they could study abroad and even obtain foreign nationality. Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’” Political Connections Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a vocal supporter of her parent, who holds significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Moscow date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in pushing for stronger alliances with countries often at odds with Western powers. She has also frequently declared her support of Russia. On social media, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the government in Moscow. In another matter, she is currently on trial on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during past unrest. She denies those charges. The Journey to War The group allegedly gathered at a major international airport in the summer before flying to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease. By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, 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 contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in Russian. An agreement associated with another member of the group seems to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been active in the war since its outset. Official Actions and Family Despair In early November, the national leadership said it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government emphasized that assisting foreign militaries without state authorization is against the law. The political rift between the two political figures adds a layer of complication to the situation. At first, the group included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to return home. A subsequent conversation between the accused and relatives of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was filed by another family member, claiming her half-sister and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force. In response, 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 were unavailable for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to inquiries. Broader Implications Authorities have indicated 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 including a media personality recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could take a child … I think that is 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?”