‘Outright Evil’: Heartbreak and Anger as South Africans Allegedly Tricked into Battling for Russian Forces
A mother has had no contact with her son since late August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the frontlines of the war between Russia and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.
“My health is truly suffering,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.”
Her son was part of a group of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to legal filings, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russian military forces. The purported operation is connected with a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma.
A Political Bombshell
Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to surface recently after the national authorities announced it was attempting to assist nationals stranded in the war zone. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint alleging that several individuals had misled the men.
This claim sent shock waves through South Africa, where the broader situation has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Statistics show a substantial percentage of young adults are unemployed and not studying.
These individuals are thought to remain caught in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their families thousands of miles away fear for their lives.
A Fateful Introduction
Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with the accused through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that contact was made in June with what was described as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country.
Some of the men were allegedly told they would be trained as bodyguards for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could join a self-improvement course, after which they could attend a Russian university and even secure Russian citizenship.
Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the school and it was just so rushed,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’”
A Complex Backdrop
The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her father, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Russia date back many years. The former president has been at the forefront in advocating for closer relationships with countries often at in conflict with Western powers.
The accused has also publicly expressed her backing for Russia. Online, 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 has pleaded not guilty to those charges.
The Journey to War
The men reportedly met at a major international airport in early July before flying to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups from July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease.
In the following weeks, 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.”
Towards the month's end, the young man called his mother to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in Russian. An agreement associated with another member of the group seems to be a contract with a designated force that has been active in the hostilities 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 working to secure their return. The government emphasized that recruiting for external armed forces without official permission is illegal.
The political rift between the two political figures adds a layer of complication to the situation. Initially, the group numbered twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to return home.
A mid-November call between the accused and relatives of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Shortly after, the police report was filed by another family member, accusing her sibling 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 asserting she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate training course. “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 political position.
The other named recruiters could not be reached for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” 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 serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about these activities.
Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals among them a public figure recently faced a judge on charges relating to recruitment and fighting 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. “Promises were made that they weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”