🔗 Share this article ‘Utterly Wicked’: 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. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the war between Russia and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with worry. “My health is truly suffering,” she said, fatigue 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 is an immense struggle.” Her son was part of a group of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russia. The alleged scheme is connected with a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Claims about the individual's involvement began to surface last month after the South African government said it was trying to help nationals stranded in the war zone. Then, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint alleging that several individuals had misled the men. This claim rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Statistics show a large portion of under-35s are unemployed and not studying. The men are believed to be caught in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their relatives far from home fear for their lives. The Initial Contact Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection when her son was still a child. She stated that contact was made in the middle of the year with what was presented as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country. Some of the men were allegedly told they would be trained as security personnel for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could join a self-improvement course, after which they could attend a Russian university and even secure foreign nationality. Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’” Political Connections The accused, has long been a vocal supporter of her parent, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Russia date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in advocating for stronger alliances with countries often at odds with Western powers. The accused has also frequently declared her support of Russia. On social media, she has made statements aligning herself with the government in Moscow. In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of serious offenses related to online posts during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. The Journey to War The men reportedly met at a major international airport in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Communication records 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 contacts, stating they were being split up. One message clearly read: “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 forced to agree to terms in Russian. A document associated with another member of the group seems to be a contract with a designated force that has been involved in the war since its outset. Official Actions and Family Despair Recently, the national leadership confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was working to bring them home. The government emphasized that assisting external armed forces without state authorization is illegal. A deep rivalry between current and former leaders introduces an element of complication to the case. At first, the group numbered twenty individuals, but three were allowed to come back. A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Shortly after, the formal allegation was filed by another relative, claiming her sibling and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force. In response, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement asserting she had been deceived by an associate 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. Other individuals were unavailable for comment. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to requests for comment. Broader Implications Reports suggest that hundreds of citizens from African countries are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment. In a separate case, five more individuals including a media personality recently appeared in court on charges relating to involvement for Russia. Meanwhile, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “For someone to take a child … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”
One parent has not heard from her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the war between Russia and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with worry. “My health is truly suffering,” she said, fatigue 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 is an immense struggle.” Her son was part of a group of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russia. The alleged scheme is connected with a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Claims about the individual's involvement began to surface last month after the South African government said it was trying to help nationals stranded in the war zone. Then, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint alleging that several individuals had misled the men. This claim rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Statistics show a large portion of under-35s are unemployed and not studying. The men are believed to be caught in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their relatives far from home fear for their lives. The Initial Contact Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection when her son was still a child. She stated that contact was made in the middle of the year with what was presented as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country. Some of the men were allegedly told they would be trained as security personnel for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could join a self-improvement course, after which they could attend a Russian university and even secure foreign nationality. Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’” Political Connections The accused, has long been a vocal supporter of her parent, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Russia date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in advocating for stronger alliances with countries often at odds with Western powers. The accused has also frequently declared her support of Russia. On social media, she has made statements aligning herself with the government in Moscow. In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of serious offenses related to online posts during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. The Journey to War The men reportedly met at a major international airport in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Communication records 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 contacts, stating they were being split up. One message clearly read: “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 forced to agree to terms in Russian. A document associated with another member of the group seems to be a contract with a designated force that has been involved in the war since its outset. Official Actions and Family Despair Recently, the national leadership confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was working to bring them home. The government emphasized that assisting external armed forces without state authorization is illegal. A deep rivalry between current and former leaders introduces an element of complication to the case. At first, the group numbered twenty individuals, but three were allowed to come back. A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Shortly after, the formal allegation was filed by another relative, claiming her sibling and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force. In response, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement asserting she had been deceived by an associate 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. Other individuals were unavailable for comment. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to requests for comment. Broader Implications Reports suggest that hundreds of citizens from African countries are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment. In a separate case, five more individuals including a media personality recently appeared in court on charges relating to involvement for Russia. Meanwhile, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “For someone to take a child … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”