‘Outright Evil’: Anguish and Anger as Citizens Allegedly Tricked into Fighting for Russia

One parent has not heard from her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with worry.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It is an immense struggle.”

The young man was part of a group of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is connected with a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about the individual's involvement began to surface last month after the South African government announced it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in the war zone. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint alleging that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men.

The accusation rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal 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 believed to be trapped in a war they never agreed to join, while their families thousands of miles away dread for their lives.

A Fateful Introduction

The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla through a relative years ago. She stated that contact was made in June with what was described as an lucrative prospect in Russia.

Some of the men were allegedly told they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a faction led by 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 written agreements for the school and it was just so rushed,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’”

A Complex Backdrop

The accused, is known as a vocal supporter of her father, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Moscow date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in advocating for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers.

She has also publicly expressed her backing for Russia. On social media, she has shared posts showing solidarity to 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 group reportedly met at a travel hub in early July before traveling to Moscow. Messages from online forums dated July and August reportedly show the group's concerns.

In the following weeks, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were separated. One message clearly read: “We have been placed with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

In late August, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being forced to sign a contract in Russian. An agreement 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.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

In early November, the office of the South African president confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was working to bring them home. The government noted that recruiting for foreign militaries without official permission is illegal.

A deep rivalry between the two political figures introduces an element of complication to the case. Initially, the contingent included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to return home.

A mid-November call between the accused and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Soon thereafter, the police report was filed by another relative, claiming her sibling and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

In response, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement asserting she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a proper training course. “I would not knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role.

Other individuals could not be reached for comment. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to requests for comment.

A Wider Pattern

Authorities have indicated that hundreds of African nationals are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment.

Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals including a media personality recently appeared in court on charges relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could take a child … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”