‘Outright Evil’: Anguish and Anger as Citizens Allegedly Tricked into Battling for Russia

One parent has had no contact with her son since late August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being sent to the battle lines of the war between Russia and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with anxiety.

“My health is truly suffering,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It’s not easy for me.”

Her son was among a contingent of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is linked to a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about the individual's role began to emerge recently after the national authorities announced 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 several individuals had deceptively recruited the men.

This claim rippled through South Africa, where the wider scandal has highlighted the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of young adults are unemployed and not studying.

The men are believed to be trapped in a war they did not sign up for, while their families thousands of miles away fear for their lives.

A Fateful Introduction

Mary, whose identity is protected, 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 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 instructed to become security personnel for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could enrol on a self-improvement course, after which they could study abroad and even secure foreign nationality.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’”

A Complex Backdrop

The accused, has long been a vocal supporter of her parent, who retains significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Moscow date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in pushing for stronger alliances with nations often at in conflict with Western powers.

The accused has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. On social media, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the leadership 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.

From Airport to Battlefield

The men allegedly gathered at a major international airport in the summer before flying to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups dated July and August reportedly show the group's concerns.

In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were being split up. One message explicitly stated: “We are 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 pressured to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. A document associated with another member of the group appears to be a contract with a designated force that has been involved in the war since its beginning.

Official Actions and Family Despair

Recently, the national leadership said it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government noted that recruiting for foreign militaries without official permission is illegal.

A deep rivalry between current and former leaders adds a layer of complexity to the case. At first, the group numbered twenty individuals, but three were allowed to return home.

A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Shortly after, the formal allegation was filed by another family member, accusing her half-sister and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

Reacting to this, the accused submitted a statement asserting she had been deceived 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 parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role.

The other named recruiters could not be reached for comment. An official representative said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to requests for comment.

A Wider Pattern

Authorities have indicated that hundreds of citizens from African countries are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about these activities.

Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals including a media personality recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Meanwhile, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … That constitutes sheer wickedness,” she said. “Promises were made that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”