‘Outright Evil’: Heartbreak and Anger as South Africans Allegedly Deceived into Battling for Russia

A mother has not heard from 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. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with anxiety.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It is an immense struggle.”

Her son was part of a group of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in legal filings, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russia. The purported operation is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Allegations about the individual's involvement began to surface last month following the national authorities said it was trying to help citizens stranded in Ukraine. Then, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report alleging that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men.

The accusation rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of young adults are not in work or education.

These individuals are believed to be caught in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their families thousands of miles away dread for their lives.

The Initial Contact

The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with the accused via a family connection years ago. She stated that contact was made in June with what was described as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country.

Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be trained as security personnel for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could enrol on a personal development programme, after which they could attend a Russian university and even obtain Russian citizenship.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’”

Political Connections

The accused, is known as a vocal supporter of her father, who holds significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Russia date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in pushing for closer relationships with nations often at in conflict with Western powers.

She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. Online, she has shared posts showing solidarity to 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.

The Journey to War

The men allegedly gathered at a major international airport in the summer before flying to Moscow. Messages 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 being split up. One message explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the son contacted his parent to say he was being forced to agree to terms in Russian. An agreement associated with another member of the group appears 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 confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was working to secure their return. The government noted that assisting foreign militaries without official permission is illegal.

A deep rivalry between current and former leaders introduces an element of complication to the case. At first, the group included 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to return home.

A subsequent conversation between the accused and families of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Shortly after, the police report was filed by another relative, accusing her sibling and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

In response, the accused submitted a statement asserting she had been misled by an associate into believing it was a legitimate program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her elected role.

Other individuals could not be reached for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to inquiries.

A Wider Pattern

Reports suggest that a significant number of citizens from African countries are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about these activities.

In a separate case, five more individuals among them a public figure recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia.

Meanwhile, Mary continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … That constitutes sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”