🔗 Share this article ‘Outright Evil’: Anguish and Fury as Citizens Allegedly Tricked into Fighting for Russia One parent has not heard from her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the battle lines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with anxiety. “I’m honestly really sick,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.” The young man was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in legal filings, were tricked into fighting for Russia. The purported operation is linked to a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Claims about the individual's involvement began to surface last month following the national authorities announced it was attempting to assist citizens trapped in the war zone. Then, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report claiming that several individuals had misled the men. The accusation rippled through South Africa, where the wider scandal has highlighted 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 war they did not sign up for, while their relatives far from home fear for their lives. A Fateful Introduction Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was presented as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country. A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could enrol on a self-improvement course, upon completion they could study abroad and even secure Russian citizenship. Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the program and it was just so rushed,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’” Political Connections The accused, is known as a fierce defender of her parent, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Russia date back many years. The former president has been a leading figure in pushing for stronger alliances with countries often at in conflict with Western powers. The accused has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. On social media, she has made statements showing solidarity to the government in Moscow. Separately, she is currently on trial on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. The Journey to War The men allegedly gathered at a travel hub in the summer before flying to Moscow. Communication records 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 separated. One message explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.” Towards the month's end, the son called his mother to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. A document 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 national leadership confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was working to secure their return. The government emphasized that assisting external armed forces without official permission is against the law. A deep rivalry between the two political figures adds a layer of complication to the case. At first, the contingent included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to return home. A mid-November call between the accused and relatives of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Shortly after, the formal allegation was filed by another family member, accusing her sibling 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 claiming she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate training course. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her elected role. The other named recruiters were unavailable for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment. A Wider Pattern Reports suggest that hundreds of citizens from African countries are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about these activities. Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals among them a public figure recently faced a judge on charges relating to involvement for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “For someone to exploit a young person … I think that is outright evil,” 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 not heard from her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the battle lines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with anxiety. “I’m honestly really sick,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.” The young man was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in legal filings, were tricked into fighting for Russia. The purported operation is linked to a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Claims about the individual's involvement began to surface last month following the national authorities announced it was attempting to assist citizens trapped in the war zone. Then, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report claiming that several individuals had misled the men. The accusation rippled through South Africa, where the wider scandal has highlighted 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 war they did not sign up for, while their relatives far from home fear for their lives. A Fateful Introduction Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was presented as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country. A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could enrol on a self-improvement course, upon completion they could study abroad and even secure Russian citizenship. Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the program and it was just so rushed,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’” Political Connections The accused, is known as a fierce defender of her parent, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Russia date back many years. The former president has been a leading figure in pushing for stronger alliances with countries often at in conflict with Western powers. The accused has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. On social media, she has made statements showing solidarity to the government in Moscow. Separately, she is currently on trial on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. The Journey to War The men allegedly gathered at a travel hub in the summer before flying to Moscow. Communication records 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 separated. One message explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.” Towards the month's end, the son called his mother to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. A document 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 national leadership confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was working to secure their return. The government emphasized that assisting external armed forces without official permission is against the law. A deep rivalry between the two political figures adds a layer of complication to the case. At first, the contingent included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to return home. A mid-November call between the accused and relatives of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Shortly after, the formal allegation was filed by another family member, accusing her sibling 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 claiming she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate training course. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her elected role. The other named recruiters were unavailable for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment. A Wider Pattern Reports suggest that hundreds of citizens from African countries are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about these activities. Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals among them a public figure recently faced a judge on charges relating to involvement for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “For someone to exploit a young person … I think that is outright evil,” 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?”