🔗 Share this article ‘Utterly Wicked’: Heartbreak and Anger as Citizens Allegedly Tricked into Battling for Russia A mother has not heard from her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the battle lines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with worry. “I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety 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 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were tricked into serving with Russia. The alleged scheme is linked to a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Claims about the individual's role began to surface last month following the national authorities said it was attempting to assist nationals stranded in Ukraine. Then, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men. This claim sent shock waves through the nation, where the wider scandal has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Statistics show a large portion of under-35s are not in work or education. These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their relatives thousands of miles away dread for their lives. A Fateful Introduction Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to the accused through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was described as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country. A portion of the group 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 enrol on a self-improvement course, upon completion they could study abroad and even secure foreign nationality. Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’” Political Connections The accused, is known as a vocal supporter of her father, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Moscow date back decades. The former president has been a leading figure in pushing for stronger alliances with countries often at in conflict with Western powers. The accused has also frequently declared her support of Russia. Online, she has shared posts aligning herself with the government in Moscow. In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of serious offenses related to social media activity during previous riots. She denies those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The men allegedly gathered at a travel hub in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease. In the following weeks, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, stating they were separated. One message explicitly stated: “We are with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” In late August, the young man called his mother to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in Russian. 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 national leadership said it had received distress calls the men and was working to secure their return. The government emphasized that assisting external armed forces without official permission is illegal. A deep rivalry between the two political figures introduces an element of complication to the situation. Initially, the group numbered 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to come back. A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Shortly after, the formal allegation was filed by another relative, accusing her half-sister and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement asserting she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate training course. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role. 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. A Wider Pattern Authorities have indicated that hundreds of citizens from African countries are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about these activities. Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently faced a judge on charges relating to involvement for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could take a child … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”
A mother has not heard from her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the battle lines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with worry. “I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety 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 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were tricked into serving with Russia. The alleged scheme is linked to a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Claims about the individual's role began to surface last month following the national authorities said it was attempting to assist nationals stranded in Ukraine. Then, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men. This claim sent shock waves through the nation, where the wider scandal has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Statistics show a large portion of under-35s are not in work or education. These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their relatives thousands of miles away dread for their lives. A Fateful Introduction Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to the accused through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was described as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country. A portion of the group 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 enrol on a self-improvement course, upon completion they could study abroad and even secure foreign nationality. Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’” Political Connections The accused, is known as a vocal supporter of her father, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Moscow date back decades. The former president has been a leading figure in pushing for stronger alliances with countries often at in conflict with Western powers. The accused has also frequently declared her support of Russia. Online, she has shared posts aligning herself with the government in Moscow. In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of serious offenses related to social media activity during previous riots. She denies those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The men allegedly gathered at a travel hub in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease. In the following weeks, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, stating they were separated. One message explicitly stated: “We are with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” In late August, the young man called his mother to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in Russian. 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 national leadership said it had received distress calls the men and was working to secure their return. The government emphasized that assisting external armed forces without official permission is illegal. A deep rivalry between the two political figures introduces an element of complication to the situation. Initially, the group numbered 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to come back. A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Shortly after, the formal allegation was filed by another relative, accusing her half-sister and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement asserting she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate training course. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role. 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. A Wider Pattern Authorities have indicated that hundreds of citizens from African countries are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about these activities. Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently faced a judge on charges relating to involvement for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could take a child … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”