‘Outright Evil’: Anguish and Anger as South Africans Allegedly Tricked into Battling for Russia

One parent has not heard from her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the war between Russia and its neighbor. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with worry.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It’s not easy for me.”

The young man was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were tricked into fighting for Russia. The purported operation is connected with a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about the individual's involvement began to emerge recently after the South African government said it was trying to help citizens trapped in the war zone. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men.

The accusation sent shock waves through the nation, where the broader situation has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of young adults are unemployed and not studying.

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

The Initial Contact

The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to the accused through a relative years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was described as an lucrative prospect in Russia.

Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be trained as security personnel for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could join a self-improvement course, upon completion they could study abroad and even obtain foreign nationality.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the school and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’”

A Complex Backdrop

The accused, is known as a fierce defender of her father, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Russia date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in pushing for stronger alliances with countries often at odds with Western powers.

She has also publicly expressed her backing for Russia. Online, she has made statements showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow.

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

From Airport to Battlefield

The group reportedly met at a travel hub in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August apparently indicate 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. 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 a language he did not understand. An agreement linked to another member of the group appears to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been active in the hostilities since its outset.

Official Actions and Family Despair

Recently, the national leadership confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government noted that assisting external armed forces without official permission is illegal.

The political rift between the two political figures adds a layer of complexity to the situation. At first, the contingent numbered 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to return home.

A mid-November call between the accused and families of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another relative, accusing her half-sister and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

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 excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned 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. Diplomatic missions did not reply to requests for comment.

Broader Implications

Authorities have indicated that hundreds 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, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia.

Meanwhile, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to take a child … I think that is sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”