🔗 Share this article ‘Utterly Wicked’: Anguish and Fury as Citizens Reportedly Tricked into Battling for Russian Forces A mother has had no contact with her son since late August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the war between Russia and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with anxiety. “My health is truly suffering,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It’s not easy for me.” Her son was part of a group of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russian military forces. The purported operation is connected with a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Allegations about the individual's role began to emerge last month after the national authorities said it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report alleging that several individuals had misled the men. This claim sent shock waves through the nation, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of under-35s are not in work or education. These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their families thousands of miles away fear for their lives. The Initial Contact The mother, 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 lucrative prospect in Russia. Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be trained as bodyguards for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could join a self-improvement course, after which they could study abroad and even obtain Russian citizenship. Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the program and it was just so rushed,” she said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’” A Complex Backdrop The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her father, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Moscow date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in pushing for closer relationships with nations often at odds with Western powers. She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. Online, she has made statements showing solidarity to the government in Moscow. Separately, she is currently on trial on charges of serious offenses related to online posts during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. The Journey to War The group allegedly gathered at a travel hub in early July before traveling to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups from July and August reportedly show the group's concerns. By mid-August, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were separated. One message explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” Towards the month's end, the young man called his mother to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in Russian. An agreement linked to another member of the group appears to be a contract with a designated force that has been active in the hostilities since its outset. Official Actions and Family Despair In early November, the office of the South African president said it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government emphasized that recruiting for foreign militaries without state authorization is illegal. The political rift between current and former leaders adds a layer of complication to the situation. Initially, the group numbered 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to come back. A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation 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, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit asserting she had been misled by an associate into believing it was a legitimate program. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role. The other named recruiters were unavailable for a statement. An official representative said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to inquiries. Broader Implications Reports suggest that hundreds of African nationals are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment. Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans including a media personality recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia. Meanwhile, Mary continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “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. What kind of person does that?”
A mother has had no contact with her son since late August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the war between Russia and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with anxiety. “My health is truly suffering,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It’s not easy for me.” Her son was part of a group of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russian military forces. The purported operation is connected with a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Allegations about the individual's role began to emerge last month after the national authorities said it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report alleging that several individuals had misled the men. This claim sent shock waves through the nation, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of under-35s are not in work or education. These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their families thousands of miles away fear for their lives. The Initial Contact The mother, 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 lucrative prospect in Russia. Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be trained as bodyguards for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could join a self-improvement course, after which they could study abroad and even obtain Russian citizenship. Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the program and it was just so rushed,” she said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’” A Complex Backdrop The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her father, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Moscow date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in pushing for closer relationships with nations often at odds with Western powers. She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. Online, she has made statements showing solidarity to the government in Moscow. Separately, she is currently on trial on charges of serious offenses related to online posts during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. The Journey to War The group allegedly gathered at a travel hub in early July before traveling to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups from July and August reportedly show the group's concerns. By mid-August, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were separated. One message explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” Towards the month's end, the young man called his mother to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in Russian. An agreement linked to another member of the group appears to be a contract with a designated force that has been active in the hostilities since its outset. Official Actions and Family Despair In early November, the office of the South African president said it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government emphasized that recruiting for foreign militaries without state authorization is illegal. The political rift between current and former leaders adds a layer of complication to the situation. Initially, the group numbered 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to come back. A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation 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, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit asserting she had been misled by an associate into believing it was a legitimate program. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role. The other named recruiters were unavailable for a statement. An official representative said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to inquiries. Broader Implications Reports suggest that hundreds of African nationals are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment. Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans including a media personality recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia. Meanwhile, Mary continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “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. What kind of person does that?”