🔗 Share this article ‘Outright Evil’: Anguish and Fury as Citizens Allegedly Deceived into Battling for Russian Forces One parent has not heard from her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the frontlines of the war between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety. “My health is truly suffering,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, 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, as stated in legal filings, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russia. The alleged scheme is connected with a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to emerge last month following the national authorities said it was trying to help citizens trapped in Ukraine. Then, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report alleging that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men. This claim rippled through South Africa, where the broader situation has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Statistics show a large portion of young adults are unemployed and not studying. The men are thought to remain trapped in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their relatives thousands of miles away fear for their lives. A Fateful Introduction Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was described as an lucrative prospect in Russia. A portion of the group were reportedly promised they would be trained as bodyguards for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could enrol on a personal development programme, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even obtain foreign nationality. Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the program and it was just so rushed,” she said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’” Political Connections Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a vocal supporter of her father, who holds 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 stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers. The accused has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. On social media, she has made statements aligning herself with the government in Moscow. Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The group allegedly gathered at a major international airport in early July before flying to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups from July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease. By mid-August, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were separated. One message 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 agree to terms in a language he did not understand. A document linked to another member of the group seems to be a contract with a designated force 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 received distress calls the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government emphasized that assisting foreign militaries without state authorization is illegal. A deep rivalry between the two political figures adds a layer of complexity to the case. At first, the group numbered 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to return home. A subsequent conversation between the accused and relatives of the men allegedly provided no answers. Shortly after, the formal allegation was filed by another family member, accusing her half-sister and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force. In response, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit claiming she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate training course. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position. Other individuals could not be reached for comment. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to inquiries. A Wider Pattern Authorities have indicated that a significant number of African nationals are serving with Moscow's military 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. Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”
One parent has not heard from her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the frontlines of the war between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety. “My health is truly suffering,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, 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, as stated in legal filings, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russia. The alleged scheme is connected with a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to emerge last month following the national authorities said it was trying to help citizens trapped in Ukraine. Then, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report alleging that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men. This claim rippled through South Africa, where the broader situation has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Statistics show a large portion of young adults are unemployed and not studying. The men are thought to remain trapped in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their relatives thousands of miles away fear for their lives. A Fateful Introduction Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was described as an lucrative prospect in Russia. A portion of the group were reportedly promised they would be trained as bodyguards for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could enrol on a personal development programme, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even obtain foreign nationality. Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the program and it was just so rushed,” she said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’” Political Connections Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a vocal supporter of her father, who holds 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 stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers. The accused has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. On social media, she has made statements aligning herself with the government in Moscow. Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The group allegedly gathered at a major international airport in early July before flying to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups from July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease. By mid-August, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were separated. One message 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 agree to terms in a language he did not understand. A document linked to another member of the group seems to be a contract with a designated force 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 received distress calls the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government emphasized that assisting foreign militaries without state authorization is illegal. A deep rivalry between the two political figures adds a layer of complexity to the case. At first, the group numbered 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to return home. A subsequent conversation between the accused and relatives of the men allegedly provided no answers. Shortly after, the formal allegation was filed by another family member, accusing her half-sister and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force. In response, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit claiming she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate training course. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position. Other individuals could not be reached for comment. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to inquiries. A Wider Pattern Authorities have indicated that a significant number of African nationals are serving with Moscow's military 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. Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”