One parent has had no contact with her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the ongoing conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.
“My health is truly suffering,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It is an immense struggle.”
Her son was among a contingent of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in legal filings, were tricked into fighting for Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is connected with a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma.
Allegations about the individual's involvement began to surface recently following the national authorities said it was trying to help nationals stranded in the war zone. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men.
The accusation rippled through the nation, where the broader situation has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a large portion of under-35s are unemployed and not studying.
These individuals are believed to be caught in a war they did not sign up for, while their relatives thousands of miles away dread for their lives.
The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla through a relative years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was described as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country.
A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be instructed to become security personnel for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could join a personal development programme, after which they could study abroad and even obtain foreign nationality.
Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the program and it was just so rushed,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’”
Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a fierce defender of her father, who retains significant sway nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Russia date back decades. 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 publicly expressed her backing for Russia. On social media, she has made statements showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow.
Separately, she is currently on trial on accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.
The men allegedly gathered at a travel hub in early July before flying to Moscow. Communication records 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 recruiters, stating they were separated. A communication clearly read: “We have been placed with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”
In late August, the young man called his mother to say he was being forced to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. A document associated with another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been involved in the war since its beginning.
In early November, the office of the South African president said it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government noted that assisting external armed forces without official permission is illegal.
A deep rivalry between current and former leaders introduces an element of complication to the case. Initially, the group numbered twenty individuals, but three were allowed to come back.
A subsequent conversation between the accused and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation 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, the accused submitted a statement asserting she had been deceived 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 political position.
The other named recruiters were unavailable for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to inquiries.
Authorities have indicated that hundreds of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment.
Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals including a media personality recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia.
Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to 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. What kind of person does that?”
Elena Hartwell is a multidisciplinary artist and educator passionate about fostering creative communities in London.