‘Outright Evil’: Heartbreak and Anger as Citizens Reportedly Tricked into Battling for Russian Forces

One parent has not heard from her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and its neighbor. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.”

The young man was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is connected with a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about the individual's role began to surface recently following the South African government announced it was trying to help nationals trapped in the war zone. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men.

The accusation sent shock waves 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 under-35s are unemployed and not studying.

These individuals are believed to be caught in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their families far from home fear for their lives.

The Initial Contact

The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with the accused via a family connection years ago. She stated that contact was made in the middle of the year with what was described as an lucrative prospect in Russia.

Some of the men were allegedly told they would be trained as bodyguards for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could join a personal development programme, upon completion they could study abroad and even obtain Russian citizenship.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’”

A Complex Backdrop

The accused, is known as a vocal supporter of her parent, who holds significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Moscow date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in pushing for stronger alliances with countries often at odds with Western powers.

She has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. Online, she has made statements aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow.

Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

From Airport to Battlefield

The men allegedly gathered at a travel hub in early July before flying to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups from July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease.

By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, stating they were being split up. One message clearly read: “We are 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 Russian. A document 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 beginning.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

Recently, the national leadership said it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government noted that recruiting for external armed forces without official permission is illegal.

A deep rivalry between current and former leaders adds a layer of complexity to the situation. Initially, the group included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to come back.

A mid-November call between the accused and families of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Soon thereafter, the police report was filed by another family member, accusing her half-sister and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

In response, the accused filed her own affidavit claiming she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a proper program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position.

Other individuals could not be reached for comment. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment.

A Wider Pattern

Reports suggest that a significant number of citizens from African countries are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment.

In a separate case, several other South Africans including a media personality recently faced a judge on charges relating to involvement for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to exploit a young person … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”