🔗 Share this article ‘Outright Evil’: Heartbreak and Fury as South Africans Reportedly Deceived into Fighting for Russian Forces One parent has had no contact with her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the war between Russia and its neighbor. Since that day, 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 overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.” Her son was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in legal filings, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russia. The purported operation is linked to a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to surface recently after the national authorities announced it was attempting to assist nationals trapped in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men. This claim sent shock waves through the nation, where the broader situation has highlighted the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a large portion of young adults are unemployed and not studying. These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a war they did not sign up for, while their families thousands of miles away fear for their lives. The Initial Contact The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla through a relative 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 the foreign country. Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become security personnel for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could join a self-improvement course, after which they could study abroad and even obtain Russian citizenship. Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the school and it was just so rushed,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’” A Complex Backdrop Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who holds significant sway nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Russia date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in advocating for stronger alliances with countries often at in conflict with Western powers. The accused 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 online posts during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. The Journey to War The group reportedly met at a major international airport in early July before flying to Moscow. Communication records from online forums from July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns. By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. A communication explicitly stated: “We are 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 a language he did not understand. An agreement associated with another member of the group appears to be a contract with a designated force that has been active in the war since its beginning. Official Actions and Family Despair Recently, the national leadership confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was working to bring them home. The government noted that assisting external armed forces without official permission is illegal. A deep rivalry between the two political figures 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 allegedly provided little clarity. Soon thereafter, the police report was lodged by another relative, claiming her sibling and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” 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 proper 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. Other individuals were unavailable for comment. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment. Broader Implications Reports suggest that a significant number of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment. Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans including a media personality recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “For someone to exploit a young person … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they weren’t going to war and she lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”
One parent has had no contact with her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the war between Russia and its neighbor. Since that day, 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 overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.” Her son was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in legal filings, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russia. The purported operation is linked to a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to surface recently after the national authorities announced it was attempting to assist nationals trapped in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men. This claim sent shock waves through the nation, where the broader situation has highlighted the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a large portion of young adults are unemployed and not studying. These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a war they did not sign up for, while their families thousands of miles away fear for their lives. The Initial Contact The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla through a relative 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 the foreign country. Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become security personnel for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could join a self-improvement course, after which they could study abroad and even obtain Russian citizenship. Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the school and it was just so rushed,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’” A Complex Backdrop Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who holds significant sway nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Russia date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in advocating for stronger alliances with countries often at in conflict with Western powers. The accused 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 online posts during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. The Journey to War The group reportedly met at a major international airport in early July before flying to Moscow. Communication records from online forums from July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns. By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. A communication explicitly stated: “We are 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 a language he did not understand. An agreement associated with another member of the group appears to be a contract with a designated force that has been active in the war since its beginning. Official Actions and Family Despair Recently, the national leadership confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was working to bring them home. The government noted that assisting external armed forces without official permission is illegal. A deep rivalry between the two political figures 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 allegedly provided little clarity. Soon thereafter, the police report was lodged by another relative, claiming her sibling and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” 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 proper 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. Other individuals were unavailable for comment. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment. Broader Implications Reports suggest that a significant number of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment. Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans including a media personality recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “For someone to exploit a young person … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they weren’t going to war and she lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”