‘Utterly Wicked’: Heartbreak and Anger as Citizens Reportedly Deceived into Fighting for Russia

One parent has not heard from her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and its neighbor. From that moment, 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, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It is an immense struggle.”

Her son was part of a group of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russia. The purported operation is connected with a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Allegations about the individual's involvement began to surface recently following the South African government announced it was attempting to assist citizens trapped in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report claiming that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men.

The accusation sent shock waves through the nation, where the broader situation has highlighted the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of under-35s are unemployed and not studying.

The men are thought to remain trapped in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their families far from home fear for their lives.

The Initial Contact

Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with the accused via a family connection years ago. She stated that contact was made in June with what was described as an lucrative prospect in Russia.

Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become security personnel for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could enrol on a self-improvement course, after which they could attend a Russian university and even obtain foreign nationality.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’”

A Complex Backdrop

The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her father, who retains significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Russia date back many years. The former president has been a leading figure in pushing for closer relationships with countries often at odds with Western powers.

The accused has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. Online, she has shared posts aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow.

Separately, she is currently on trial on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

From Airport to Battlefield

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

In the following weeks, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. One message explicitly stated: “We have been placed 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 pressured to sign a contract in Russian. A document associated with another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been active in the war since its outset.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

In early November, the office of the South African president confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was working to bring them home. The government noted that assisting external armed forces without state authorization is against the law.

The political rift between current and former leaders adds a layer of complexity to the situation. Initially, the group numbered twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to return home.

A subsequent conversation between the accused and families of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Soon thereafter, the police report was filed by another relative, accusing her half-sister and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

In response, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement 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 parts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her elected role.

The other named recruiters could not be reached for comment. An official representative 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 a significant number of African nationals are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals 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 similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”