🔗 Share this article ‘Utterly Wicked’: Anguish and Fury as Citizens Reportedly Tricked into Fighting for Russian Forces A mother has had no contact with her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the war between Russia and its neighbor. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with worry. “I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It is an immense struggle.” The young man was part of a group of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is connected with a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Allegations about the individual's role began to surface last month after the South African government said it was attempting to assist citizens trapped in Ukraine. Then, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men. The accusation rippled through South Africa, where the wider scandal has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Statistics show a substantial percentage of under-35s are not in work or education. The men are believed to be trapped in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their families far from home dread for their lives. A Fateful Introduction Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with the accused via a family connection when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was described as an exciting opportunity in Russia. Some of the men were allegedly told they would be trained as security personnel for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could enrol on a self-improvement course, upon completion they could study abroad and even obtain foreign nationality. Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the program and it was just so rushed,” she said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’” Political Connections Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a fierce defender of her father, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Russia date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in advocating for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers. The accused has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. Online, she has made statements aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow. In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of serious offenses related to social media activity during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. The Journey to War The group allegedly gathered at a travel hub in early July before flying to Moscow. Communication records from online forums dated 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. One message clearly read: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.” In late August, the young man called his mother to say he was being forced to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. An agreement linked to another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been involved in the war since its outset. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish Recently, the office of the South African president said it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government noted that assisting foreign militaries without state authorization is against the law. A deep rivalry between current and former leaders introduces an element of complication to the situation. Initially, the group numbered 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to come back. A mid-November call between the accused and families of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another family member, accusing her half-sister and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force. Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit asserting she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a proper program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her elected role. Other individuals could not be reached for comment. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to requests for comment. A Wider Pattern Authorities have indicated that hundreds of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside 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 charges relating to involvement for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … I think that is sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”
A mother has had no contact with her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the war between Russia and its neighbor. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with worry. “I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It is an immense struggle.” The young man was part of a group of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is connected with a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Allegations about the individual's role began to surface last month after the South African government said it was attempting to assist citizens trapped in Ukraine. Then, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men. The accusation rippled through South Africa, where the wider scandal has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Statistics show a substantial percentage of under-35s are not in work or education. The men are believed to be trapped in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their families far from home dread for their lives. A Fateful Introduction Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with the accused via a family connection when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was described as an exciting opportunity in Russia. Some of the men were allegedly told they would be trained as security personnel for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could enrol on a self-improvement course, upon completion they could study abroad and even obtain foreign nationality. Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the program and it was just so rushed,” she said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’” Political Connections Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a fierce defender of her father, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Russia date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in advocating for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers. The accused has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. Online, she has made statements aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow. In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of serious offenses related to social media activity during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. The Journey to War The group allegedly gathered at a travel hub in early July before flying to Moscow. Communication records from online forums dated 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. One message clearly read: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.” In late August, the young man called his mother to say he was being forced to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. An agreement linked to another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been involved in the war since its outset. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish Recently, the office of the South African president said it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government noted that assisting foreign militaries without state authorization is against the law. A deep rivalry between current and former leaders introduces an element of complication to the situation. Initially, the group numbered 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to come back. A mid-November call between the accused and families of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another family member, accusing her half-sister and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force. Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit asserting she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a proper program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her elected role. Other individuals could not be reached for comment. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to requests for comment. A Wider Pattern Authorities have indicated that hundreds of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside 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 charges relating to involvement for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … I think that is sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”