‘Utterly Wicked’: Anguish and Fury as South Africans Allegedly Deceived into Fighting for Russian Forces

One parent has had no contact with 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 Russia and its neighbor. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.”

Her son was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were tricked into serving with Russia. The alleged scheme is connected with a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Claims about the individual's involvement began to emerge last month after the national authorities said it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in the war zone. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that several individuals had misled the men.

The accusation sent shock waves through the nation, where the wider scandal has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Statistics show a large portion of young adults are unemployed and not studying.

The men are thought to remain trapped in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their relatives thousands of miles away dread for their lives.

A Fateful Introduction

Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection 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 the foreign country.

A portion of the group were reportedly promised they would be trained as bodyguards for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could enrol on a personal development programme, after which they could attend a Russian university and even secure Russian citizenship.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements 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, is known as a vocal supporter of her father, who holds significant sway nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Moscow date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in advocating for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers.

The accused has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. Online, she has made statements aligning herself with the government in Moscow.

In another matter, 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 early July before flying to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August reportedly show the group's concerns.

By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, stating they were being split up. A communication explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the son contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. A document associated with another member of the group seems to be a contract with a designated force that has been involved in the hostilities since its beginning.

Official Actions and Family Despair

Recently, the national leadership said it had been contacted by the men and was working to bring them home. The government emphasized that recruiting for external armed forces without official permission is illegal.

A deep rivalry between current and former leaders adds a layer of complication to the situation. At first, the contingent numbered 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to come back.

A subsequent conversation between the accused and relatives of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Soon thereafter, the police report was filed by another relative, claiming her half-sister and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

In response, 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 resigned 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 did not reply to requests for comment.

A Wider Pattern

Reports suggest that hundreds of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment.

In a separate case, five more individuals including a media personality recently appeared in court on charges 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 … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they would not see combat and she lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”