🔗 Share this article ‘Utterly Wicked’: Heartbreak and Anger as Citizens Reportedly Deceived into Fighting for Russia A mother has had no contact with her son since late August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the war between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with anxiety. “My health is truly suffering,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.” Her son was part of a group of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russian military forces. The purported operation is connected with a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to emerge last month after the national authorities announced it was trying to help citizens stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men. This claim rippled through the nation, where the broader situation has highlighted the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Statistics show a substantial percentage of young adults are unemployed and not studying. These individuals are believed to be caught in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their families thousands of miles away dread for their lives. The Initial Contact The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with the accused through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that contact was made in June with what was described as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country. A portion of the group were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could enrol on a personal development programme, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even secure Russian citizenship. Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the program and it was just so rushed,” she said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’” Political Connections The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Russia date back many years. The former president has been a leading figure in pushing for closer relationships with countries often at odds with Western powers. She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. Online, she has made statements showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow. Separately, she is currently on trial on accusations of serious offenses related to social media activity during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The group reportedly met at a travel hub in early July before flying to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups dated July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease. In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were separated. One message clearly read: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” Towards the month's end, the young man called his mother to say he was being forced to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. 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. Official Actions and Family Despair In early November, the office of the South African president confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government emphasized that recruiting for foreign militaries without official permission is against the law. A deep rivalry between the two political figures adds a layer of complication to the situation. At first, the contingent included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to return home. A mid-November call between the accused and families of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another family member, claiming her sibling and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force. In response, the accused filed her own affidavit claiming she had been misled by an associate into believing it was a proper program. “I would not knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position. Other individuals were unavailable for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to requests for comment. Broader Implications Reports suggest that a significant number of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about these activities. In a separate case, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently faced a judge on charges relating to involvement for Russia. Meanwhile, Mary continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to take a child … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”
A mother has had no contact with her son since late August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the war between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with anxiety. “My health is truly suffering,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.” Her son was part of a group of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russian military forces. The purported operation is connected with a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to emerge last month after the national authorities announced it was trying to help citizens stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men. This claim rippled through the nation, where the broader situation has highlighted the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Statistics show a substantial percentage of young adults are unemployed and not studying. These individuals are believed to be caught in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their families thousands of miles away dread for their lives. The Initial Contact The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with the accused through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that contact was made in June with what was described as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country. A portion of the group were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could enrol on a personal development programme, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even secure Russian citizenship. Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the program and it was just so rushed,” she said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’” Political Connections The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Russia date back many years. The former president has been a leading figure in pushing for closer relationships with countries often at odds with Western powers. She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. Online, she has made statements showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow. Separately, she is currently on trial on accusations of serious offenses related to social media activity during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The group reportedly met at a travel hub in early July before flying to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups dated July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease. In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were separated. One message clearly read: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” Towards the month's end, the young man called his mother to say he was being forced to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. 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. Official Actions and Family Despair In early November, the office of the South African president confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government emphasized that recruiting for foreign militaries without official permission is against the law. A deep rivalry between the two political figures adds a layer of complication to the situation. At first, the contingent included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to return home. A mid-November call between the accused and families of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another family member, claiming her sibling and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force. In response, the accused filed her own affidavit claiming she had been misled by an associate into believing it was a proper program. “I would not knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position. Other individuals were unavailable for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to requests for comment. Broader Implications Reports suggest that a significant number of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about these activities. In a separate case, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently faced a judge on charges relating to involvement for Russia. Meanwhile, Mary continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to take a child … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”