‘Outright Evil’: Heartbreak and Anger as South Africans Reportedly Tricked into Fighting for Russian Forces

A mother has not heard from 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 ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with anxiety.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It’s not easy for me.”

The young man was among a contingent of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russian military forces. The purported operation is linked to a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Claims about the individual's involvement began to emerge last month following the national authorities announced it was attempting to assist citizens trapped in the war zone. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report alleging that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men.

This claim sent shock waves through the nation, where the broader situation has highlighted the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Statistics show a substantial percentage of under-35s are not in work or education.

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

A Fateful Introduction

The mother, 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 June with what was described as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country.

Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be trained as bodyguards for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could join a personal development programme, after which they could study abroad and even obtain foreign nationality.

Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’”

A Complex Backdrop

Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a vocal supporter of her parent, who retains significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions 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 publicly expressed her backing for Russia. Online, she has shared posts aligning herself with the government in Moscow.

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

The Journey to War

The group reportedly met at a travel hub in early July before flying to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease.

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 paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the son contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in Russian. An agreement associated with another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been active in the war since its beginning.

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 attempting to secure their return. The government emphasized that assisting external armed forces without state authorization is illegal.

The political rift between current and former leaders introduces an element 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 Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men allegedly provided no answers. Soon thereafter, the police report was lodged by another family member, claiming her half-sister 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 claiming she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a legitimate program. “Under no circumstances would I 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 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 inquiries.

Broader Implications

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

Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia.

Meanwhile, the mother 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 would not see combat and she lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”