🔗 Share this article ‘Outright Evil’: Heartbreak and Fury as Citizens Reportedly Tricked into Battling for Russian Forces One parent has had no contact with her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the frontlines of the war between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. Since that day, she has been gravely ill 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, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It is an immense struggle.” Her son was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into fighting for Russia. The purported operation is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface recently after the national authorities announced it was trying to help citizens trapped in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report claiming that several individuals had misled the men. This claim sent shock waves through the nation, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of young adults are not in work or education. The men are thought to remain caught in a war they did not sign up for, while their families thousands of miles away dread for their lives. A Fateful Introduction Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to the accused via a family connection years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was described as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country. Some of the men were allegedly told they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a faction associated with 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. Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’” A Complex Backdrop The accused, is known as a vocal supporter of her father, who retains significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Russia date back many years. The former president has been at the forefront in advocating for closer relationships with countries often at odds with Western powers. The accused has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. On social media, she has made statements aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow. Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during past unrest. She denies those charges. The Journey to War The men reportedly met at a major international airport in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups from July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns. In the following weeks, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were separated. One message clearly read: “We are with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” In late August, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being forced to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. An agreement linked to another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been involved in the hostilities since its beginning. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish In early November, the office of the South African president confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government noted that recruiting for foreign militaries without state authorization is illegal. The political rift between current and former leaders adds a layer of complication to the case. At first, the contingent included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to return home. A mid-November call between the accused and families of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another relative, accusing her sibling and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force. In response, the accused submitted a statement claiming she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a proper training course. “I would not 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. An official representative said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment. A Wider Pattern Authorities have indicated that a significant number of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about these activities. Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals including a media personality recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to exploit a young person … I think that is sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them 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 the end of August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the frontlines of the war between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. Since that day, she has been gravely ill 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, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It is an immense struggle.” Her son was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into fighting for Russia. The purported operation is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface recently after the national authorities announced it was trying to help citizens trapped in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report claiming that several individuals had misled the men. This claim sent shock waves through the nation, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of young adults are not in work or education. The men are thought to remain caught in a war they did not sign up for, while their families thousands of miles away dread for their lives. A Fateful Introduction Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to the accused via a family connection years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was described as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country. Some of the men were allegedly told they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a faction associated with 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. Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’” A Complex Backdrop The accused, is known as a vocal supporter of her father, who retains significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Russia date back many years. The former president has been at the forefront in advocating for closer relationships with countries often at odds with Western powers. The accused has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. On social media, she has made statements aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow. Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during past unrest. She denies those charges. The Journey to War The men reportedly met at a major international airport in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups from July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns. In the following weeks, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were separated. One message clearly read: “We are with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” In late August, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being forced to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. An agreement linked to another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been involved in the hostilities since its beginning. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish In early November, the office of the South African president confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government noted that recruiting for foreign militaries without state authorization is illegal. The political rift between current and former leaders adds a layer of complication to the case. At first, the contingent included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to return home. A mid-November call between the accused and families of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another relative, accusing her sibling and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force. In response, the accused submitted a statement claiming she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a proper training course. “I would not 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. An official representative said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment. A Wider Pattern Authorities have indicated that a significant number of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about these activities. Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals including a media personality recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to exploit a young person … I think that is sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”