‘Utterly Wicked’: Heartbreak and Anger as Citizens Allegedly Tricked into Fighting for Russian Forces

A mother 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 battle lines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with worry.

“My health is truly suffering,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.”

The young man was among a contingent of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Allegations about the individual's role began to surface last month after the national authorities announced it was attempting to assist citizens trapped in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint alleging that several individuals had misled the men.

The accusation sent shock waves through the nation, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a large portion of young adults are unemployed and not studying.

These individuals are believed to be trapped in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their relatives thousands of miles away fear for their lives.

A Fateful Introduction

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 an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in Russia.

Some of the men were allegedly told they would be instructed to become security personnel for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could enrol on a self-improvement course, after which they could study abroad and even secure Russian citizenship.

Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’”

A Complex Backdrop

The accused, is known as a vocal supporter of her parent, who retains significant sway nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Russia date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in pushing for closer relationships with nations often at in conflict with Western powers.

The accused has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. On social media, she has made statements aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow.

Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of serious offenses related to online posts during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

The Journey to War

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

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

In late August, the son called his mother to say he was being forced to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. An agreement linked to another member of the group seems to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been involved in the hostilities since its beginning.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

In early November, the national leadership confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was working to secure their return. The government noted that assisting external armed forces without official permission is against the law.

A deep rivalry between current and former leaders adds a layer of complexity to the case. Initially, the contingent included twenty individuals, but three were allowed to return home.

A mid-November call between the accused and families of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was filed 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.

Reacting to this, the accused filed her own affidavit asserting she had been misled by an associate into believing it was a legitimate training course. “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 political position.

The other named recruiters were unavailable for a statement. An official representative said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to inquiries.

Broader Implications

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

Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals among them a public figure recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Meanwhile, the mother 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?”