🔗 Share this article ‘Utterly Wicked’: Anguish and Fury as South Africans Allegedly Tricked into Battling for Russia One parent has not heard from her son since late August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the ongoing conflict between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with worry. “I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.” Her son was part of a group of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russian military forces. The purported operation is connected with a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Claims about the individual's involvement began to surface last month after the national authorities said it was attempting to assist nationals stranded in Ukraine. Then, in a dramatic development, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint claiming that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men. This claim rippled through South Africa, where the broader situation has highlighted the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of young adults are not in work or education. These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a war they did not sign up for, while their families far from home dread for their lives. The Initial Contact The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection years ago. She stated that contact was made in June with what was described as an exciting opportunity in Russia. Some of the men were allegedly told they would be trained as bodyguards for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could join a personal development programme, after which they could attend a Russian university and even secure Russian citizenship. Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the program and it was just so rushed,” she said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’” A Complex Backdrop The accused, is known as a fierce defender of her father, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Moscow date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in pushing for closer relationships with countries often at in conflict with Western powers. She has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. On social media, she has made statements showing solidarity to the government in Moscow. In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of serious offenses related to online posts during past unrest. She denies those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The men allegedly gathered at a major international airport in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages 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 separated. One message explicitly stated: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” Towards the month's end, the son contacted his parent to say he was being forced to agree to terms in Russian. An agreement associated with another member of the group appears to be a contract with a designated force that has been involved in the war since its beginning. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish Recently, the national leadership confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government emphasized that recruiting for external armed forces without state authorization is illegal. The political rift between current and former leaders introduces an element of complication to the case. Initially, the group numbered 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to return home. A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Shortly after, the police report was filed by another family member, claiming her sibling and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. In response, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit asserting she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a proper training course. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position. Other individuals could not be reached for comment. An official representative said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to requests for comment. A Wider Pattern Authorities have indicated 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 appeared in court on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, Mary 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 weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”
One parent has not heard from her son since late August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the ongoing conflict between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with worry. “I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.” Her son was part of a group of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russian military forces. The purported operation is connected with a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Claims about the individual's involvement began to surface last month after the national authorities said it was attempting to assist nationals stranded in Ukraine. Then, in a dramatic development, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint claiming that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men. This claim rippled through South Africa, where the broader situation has highlighted the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of young adults are not in work or education. These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a war they did not sign up for, while their families far from home dread for their lives. The Initial Contact The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection years ago. She stated that contact was made in June with what was described as an exciting opportunity in Russia. Some of the men were allegedly told they would be trained as bodyguards for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could join a personal development programme, after which they could attend a Russian university and even secure Russian citizenship. Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the program and it was just so rushed,” she said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’” A Complex Backdrop The accused, is known as a fierce defender of her father, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Moscow date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in pushing for closer relationships with countries often at in conflict with Western powers. She has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. On social media, she has made statements showing solidarity to the government in Moscow. In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of serious offenses related to online posts during past unrest. She denies those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The men allegedly gathered at a major international airport in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages 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 separated. One message explicitly stated: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” Towards the month's end, the son contacted his parent to say he was being forced to agree to terms in Russian. An agreement associated with another member of the group appears to be a contract with a designated force that has been involved in the war since its beginning. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish Recently, the national leadership confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government emphasized that recruiting for external armed forces without state authorization is illegal. The political rift between current and former leaders introduces an element of complication to the case. Initially, the group numbered 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to return home. A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Shortly after, the police report was filed by another family member, claiming her sibling and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. In response, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit asserting she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a proper training course. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position. Other individuals could not be reached for comment. An official representative said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to requests for comment. A Wider Pattern Authorities have indicated 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 appeared in court on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, Mary 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 weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”