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

One parent has had no contact with her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear 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 stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.”

The young man was part of a group of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were tricked into fighting for Russian military forces. The purported operation is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Claims about the individual's involvement began to emerge recently after the national authorities said it was trying to help citizens trapped in Ukraine. Then, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint claiming that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men.

The accusation sent shock waves through South Africa, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of under-35s are not in work or education.

These individuals are believed to be caught in a war they never agreed to join, while their relatives far from home dread for their lives.

A Fateful Introduction

Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla through a relative years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country.

Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be trained as bodyguards for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could join a self-improvement course, after which they could attend a Russian university and even obtain Russian citizenship.

Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the program and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’”

A Complex Backdrop

Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a fierce defender of her father, who retains significant sway nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Russia date back many years. The former president has been a leading figure in pushing for stronger alliances with nations often at in conflict with Western powers.

She has also frequently declared her support of Russia. Online, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the government in Moscow.

Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of serious offenses related to social media activity during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

From Airport to Battlefield

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

By mid-August, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were being split up. One message explicitly stated: “We are with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

In late August, the son called his mother to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in Russian. A document associated with another member of the group appears to be a contract with a designated force that has been involved in the war since its beginning.

Official Actions and Family Despair

Recently, the office of the South African president said it had received distress calls the men and was working to secure their return. The government emphasized that recruiting for foreign militaries without official permission is illegal.

A deep rivalry between current and former leaders adds a layer of complication to the situation. At first, the group included twenty individuals, but three were allowed to return home.

A mid-November call between the accused and families of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Shortly after, the formal allegation was lodged by another family member, accusing her half-sister and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

In response, the accused submitted a statement claiming she had been misled 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 elected role.

The other named recruiters could not be reached for comment. An official representative said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to requests for comment.

A Wider Pattern

Authorities have indicated that a significant number of African nationals are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about these activities.

Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans including a media personality recently faced a judge on charges relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “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 betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”