🔗 Share this article ‘Utterly Wicked’: Anguish and Fury as Citizens Reportedly Deceived into Fighting for Russian Forces A mother has not heard from her son since late August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being sent to the frontlines of the war between Russia and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with worry. “My health is truly suffering,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart 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 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were tricked into serving with Russia. The purported operation is linked to a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface recently following the national authorities said it was trying to help nationals trapped in the war zone. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men. The accusation rippled through South Africa, where the broader situation has shone a light on the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of under-35s are unemployed and not studying. These individuals are believed to be trapped in a war they never agreed to join, 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 introduced to the accused through a relative years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country. A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be trained as bodyguards for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could join a personal development programme, after which they could study abroad and even secure Russian citizenship. Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” 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 holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Moscow date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in pushing for closer relationships with nations 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 currently on trial on charges of serious offenses related to online posts during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The men reportedly met at a travel hub in the summer before flying to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups dated July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease. By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. A communication clearly read: “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 forced to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. An agreement linked to another member of the group appears to be a contract with a designated force that has been involved in the hostilities since its beginning. Official Actions and Family Despair In early November, the office of the South African president said it had been contacted by the men and was working to secure their return. The government noted that assisting external armed forces without state authorization is illegal. The political rift between the two political figures introduces an element of complexity to the situation. At first, the contingent included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to return home. A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Shortly after, the formal allegation was filed by another relative, accusing her half-sister and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. Reacting to this, the accused filed her own affidavit asserting she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a proper program. “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 were unavailable for comment. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to inquiries. A Wider Pattern Reports suggest that hundreds of African nationals are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment. In a separate case, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “For someone to take a child … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they would not see combat and she lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”
A mother has not heard from her son since late August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being sent to the frontlines of the war between Russia and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with worry. “My health is truly suffering,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart 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 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were tricked into serving with Russia. The purported operation is linked to a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface recently following the national authorities said it was trying to help nationals trapped in the war zone. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men. The accusation rippled through South Africa, where the broader situation has shone a light on the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of under-35s are unemployed and not studying. These individuals are believed to be trapped in a war they never agreed to join, 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 introduced to the accused through a relative years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country. A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be trained as bodyguards for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could join a personal development programme, after which they could study abroad and even secure Russian citizenship. Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” 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 holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Moscow date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in pushing for closer relationships with nations 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 currently on trial on charges of serious offenses related to online posts during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The men reportedly met at a travel hub in the summer before flying to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups dated July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease. By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. A communication clearly read: “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 forced to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. An agreement linked to another member of the group appears to be a contract with a designated force that has been involved in the hostilities since its beginning. Official Actions and Family Despair In early November, the office of the South African president said it had been contacted by the men and was working to secure their return. The government noted that assisting external armed forces without state authorization is illegal. The political rift between the two political figures introduces an element of complexity to the situation. At first, the contingent included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to return home. A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Shortly after, the formal allegation was filed by another relative, accusing her half-sister and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. Reacting to this, the accused filed her own affidavit asserting she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a proper program. “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 were unavailable for comment. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to inquiries. A Wider Pattern Reports suggest that hundreds of African nationals are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment. In a separate case, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “For someone to take a child … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they would not see combat and she lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”