🔗 Share this article ‘Utterly Wicked’: Heartbreak and Fury as Citizens Reportedly Tricked into Battling for Russia One parent has had no contact with her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the frontlines of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with anxiety. “My health is truly suffering,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It’s not easy for me.” Her son was part of a group of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russia. The alleged scheme is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to emerge last month following the national authorities said it was attempting to assist citizens trapped in Ukraine. Then, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others 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 young adults are unemployed and not studying. These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a war 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 introduced to the accused through a relative years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was described as an lucrative prospect in Russia. A portion of the group were reportedly promised they would be trained as bodyguards for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could enrol on a self-improvement course, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even obtain foreign nationality. Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the school and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’” Political Connections The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her father, who retains significant sway nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Russia date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in advocating for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers. The accused has also publicly expressed her backing for Russia. On social media, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow. In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of serious offenses related to online posts during previous riots. She denies those charges. The Journey to War The men allegedly gathered at a travel hub in early July before flying to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups from July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease. In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were separated. A communication explicitly stated: “We are with a military group, 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 a language he did not understand. An agreement associated with another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been active in the war since its beginning. Official Actions and Family Despair In early November, the national leadership said it had been contacted by the men and was working to secure their return. The government emphasized that assisting foreign militaries without official permission is illegal. 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 Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another family member, accusing her sibling and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit claiming she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a proper training course. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role. Other individuals could not be reached for comment. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to inquiries. A Wider Pattern Authorities have indicated that a significant number of African nationals are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment. In a separate case, five more individuals among them a public figure recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia. Meanwhile, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could take a child … That constitutes sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”
One parent has had no contact with her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the frontlines of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with anxiety. “My health is truly suffering,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It’s not easy for me.” Her son was part of a group of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russia. The alleged scheme is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to emerge last month following the national authorities said it was attempting to assist citizens trapped in Ukraine. Then, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others 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 young adults are unemployed and not studying. These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a war 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 introduced to the accused through a relative years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was described as an lucrative prospect in Russia. A portion of the group were reportedly promised they would be trained as bodyguards for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could enrol on a self-improvement course, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even obtain foreign nationality. Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the school and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’” Political Connections The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her father, who retains significant sway nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Russia date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in advocating for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers. The accused has also publicly expressed her backing for Russia. On social media, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow. In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of serious offenses related to online posts during previous riots. She denies those charges. The Journey to War The men allegedly gathered at a travel hub in early July before flying to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups from July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease. In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were separated. A communication explicitly stated: “We are with a military group, 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 a language he did not understand. An agreement associated with another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been active in the war since its beginning. Official Actions and Family Despair In early November, the national leadership said it had been contacted by the men and was working to secure their return. The government emphasized that assisting foreign militaries without official permission is illegal. 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 Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another family member, accusing her sibling and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit claiming she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a proper training course. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role. Other individuals could not be reached for comment. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to inquiries. A Wider Pattern Authorities have indicated that a significant number of African nationals are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment. In a separate case, five more individuals among them a public figure recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia. Meanwhile, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could take a child … That constitutes sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”