‘Outright Evil’: Heartbreak and Fury as South Africans Reportedly Deceived into Fighting for Russia

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 the Russian Federation and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.

“My health is truly suffering,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It’s not easy for me.”

The young man was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to legal filings, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russia. The alleged scheme is linked to 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 said it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in Ukraine. Then, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint alleging that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men.

This claim rippled through South Africa, where the broader situation has shone a light on the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Statistics show a large portion of young adults are not in work or education.

These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a war they never agreed to join, while their relatives far from home fear for their lives.

A Fateful Introduction

The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in Russia.

Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could enrol on a personal development programme, after which they could study abroad and even obtain Russian citizenship.

Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’”

A Complex Backdrop

Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a fierce defender of her father, who holds significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Moscow date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in pushing for closer relationships with nations often at in conflict with Western powers.

The accused has also publicly expressed her backing for Russia. Online, she has shared posts aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow.

In another matter, she is currently on trial on accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during past unrest. She denies those charges.

The Journey to War

The group allegedly gathered at a travel hub in early July before flying to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups dated July and August reportedly show the group's concerns.

In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were being split up. One message explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

In late August, the son contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. A document linked to another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been involved in the hostilities since its beginning.

Official Actions and Family Despair

Recently, the office of the South African president confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was working to secure their return. The government noted that recruiting for external armed forces without state authorization is illegal.

The political rift between current and former leaders adds a layer of complication to the situation. Initially, the contingent included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to come back.

A subsequent conversation between the accused and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Shortly after, the police report was filed by another family member, claiming her sibling and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

Reacting to this, the accused submitted a statement asserting she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position.

The other named recruiters were unavailable for a statement. An official representative said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to requests for comment.

Broader Implications

Reports suggest that hundreds of African nationals are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about these activities.

Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently appeared in court on charges relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Meanwhile, the mother continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to take a child … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”