🔗 Share this article ‘Outright Evil’: Heartbreak and Fury as Citizens Reportedly Tricked into Battling for Russia A mother has not heard from her son since late August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the frontlines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety. “My health is truly suffering,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. 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 Botswanan men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Allegations about the individual's role began to surface recently following the South African government said it was trying to help nationals trapped in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report claiming 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 substantial percentage of under-35s are not in work or education. These individuals are believed to be caught in a war they did not sign up for, while their families far from home fear for their lives. A Fateful Introduction The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with the accused via a family connection when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in Russia. Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be trained as bodyguards for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could join a self-improvement course, upon completion 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 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 holds significant sway nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Moscow date back decades. The former president has been a leading figure in advocating for closer relationships with countries often at in conflict with Western powers. The accused has also publicly expressed 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 accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during previous riots. She denies those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The men reportedly met at a major international airport in early July before traveling to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups from July and August reportedly show the group's concerns. In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were separated. One message explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.” In late August, the young man called his mother to say he was being forced to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. A document linked to another member of the group seems to be a contract with a designated force that has been active in the hostilities since its outset. Official Actions and Family Despair Recently, the national leadership said it had been contacted by the men and was working to bring them home. The government noted that assisting external armed forces without official permission is illegal. A deep rivalry between current and former leaders adds a layer of complication to the case. At first, the contingent included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to come back. A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was filed by another family member, accusing her sibling and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force. In response, the accused filed her own affidavit asserting she had been deceived by another recruiter 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 stepped down from her political position. The other named recruiters could not be reached for a statement. An official representative said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to requests for comment. Broader Implications Reports suggest that hundreds 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. Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”
A mother has not heard from her son since late August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the frontlines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety. “My health is truly suffering,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. 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 Botswanan men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Allegations about the individual's role began to surface recently following the South African government said it was trying to help nationals trapped in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report claiming 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 substantial percentage of under-35s are not in work or education. These individuals are believed to be caught in a war they did not sign up for, while their families far from home fear for their lives. A Fateful Introduction The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with the accused via a family connection when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in Russia. Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be trained as bodyguards for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could join a self-improvement course, upon completion 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 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 holds significant sway nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Moscow date back decades. The former president has been a leading figure in advocating for closer relationships with countries often at in conflict with Western powers. The accused has also publicly expressed 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 accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during previous riots. She denies those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The men reportedly met at a major international airport in early July before traveling to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups from July and August reportedly show the group's concerns. In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were separated. One message explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.” In late August, the young man called his mother to say he was being forced to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. A document linked to another member of the group seems to be a contract with a designated force that has been active in the hostilities since its outset. Official Actions and Family Despair Recently, the national leadership said it had been contacted by the men and was working to bring them home. The government noted that assisting external armed forces without official permission is illegal. A deep rivalry between current and former leaders adds a layer of complication to the case. At first, the contingent included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to come back. A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was filed by another family member, accusing her sibling and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force. In response, the accused filed her own affidavit asserting she had been deceived by another recruiter 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 stepped down from her political position. The other named recruiters could not be reached for a statement. An official representative said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to requests for comment. Broader Implications Reports suggest that hundreds 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. Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”