Key Takeaways:
- At least 17 South African men were allegedly recruited as mercenaries to fight in Ukraine under false pretenses, with promises of elite training as VIP bodyguards in Russia.
- The men, aged between 20 and 39, were sent to join Russian forces in Ukraine, where they faced harsh conditions, including lack of food and water, and were forced to dig trenches in the freezing cold.
- An investigation into the scam is ongoing, with a focus on the alleged involvement of a former South African president’s daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, who has denied any knowledge of the scam.
- The incident has sparked concerns about the recruitment of African mercenaries to fight in Ukraine, with reports of over 1,400 citizens from three dozen African countries fighting alongside Russian forces.
- The families of the recruited men are calling for their safe return, with one mother, Susan, receiving a voice message from a fellow combatant confirming the death of her 22-year-old son, David, on the front line.
Introduction to the Scam
The story of Dubandlela, a South African father-of-three, is a heart-wrenching one. His 20-year-old son had signed up for elite training as a VIP bodyguard in Russia, only to find himself conscripted into a mercenary group and sent to fight in Ukraine. Five months later, Dubandlela is consumed by despair, blaming himself for not being able to afford university fees for his son and thereby leaving him vulnerable to the scam. The Russian foreign ministry has not responded to requests for comment on the alleged scam, while President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesman, Vincent Magwenya, has assured that the case is receiving the highest possible attention.
The Harsh Reality of War
Dubandlela’s son has sent him photos from the front line, showing him in combat fatigues, holding an AK-47 assault rifle, and trying to sleep in his underwear on the concrete floor of a cupboard-sized basement. The conditions are harsh, with the men facing lack of food and water, and being forced to dig trenches in the freezing cold. Dubandlela’s son has told him that he and the other recruits often go without food for weeks, and that they are frequently subjected to Ukrainian drone attacks. The psychological toll of the experience is evident, with Dubandlela’s son often crying on the phone and begging to come home.
The Investigation
The scam came to light on November 6, when South Africa received distress calls from the 17 men, who claimed they were trapped in Donbas. An investigation into the scam is ongoing, with a focus on the alleged involvement of Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, a former South African president’s daughter. Zuma-Sambudla has denied any knowledge of the scam, but an investigation by an elite police unit known as the "Hawks" is treating the probe as a suspected crime against the state. The police are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the recruitment of the men and the role of Zuma-Sambudla, if any.
The Broader Context
The incident has sparked concerns about the recruitment of African mercenaries to fight in Ukraine. Kenya has reported that over 200 of its citizens are fighting for Russia in Ukraine, while authorities in Botswana have said two men were duped into joining the war under false promises of jobs. Ukraine’s foreign minister has stated that more than 1,400 citizens from three dozen African countries are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. The Russian foreign ministry has not responded to requests for comment on the matter. The use of mercenaries in the conflict has raised questions about the role of private military companies and the recruitment of foreign fighters.
The Human Cost
The human cost of the scam is evident in the story of David Kuloba, a 22-year-old Kenyan who was recruited to fight in Ukraine. His mother, Susan, received a copy of his contract in Russian, which stated that he had agreed to "voluntarily… enter military service for the period stipulated by this contract period,… be true to the military oath, selflessly serve the Russian people, and courageously and capably defend the Russian Federation." David reassured his mother that he would be safe, but she has not heard from him since. A voice message from a fellow combatant confirmed that David was killed in an explosion on the front line. The incident highlights the devastating consequences of the scam and the need for urgent action to prevent further recruitment of African mercenaries.
Conclusion
The story of the 17 South African men who were allegedly recruited as mercenaries to fight in Ukraine is a tragic one. The incident has sparked concerns about the recruitment of African mercenaries and the use of private military companies in the conflict. The families of the recruited men are calling for their safe return, and the South African government is working to establish the circumstances surrounding the recruitment and to bring those responsible to justice. The incident serves as a reminder of the human cost of war and the need for urgent action to prevent further recruitment of African mercenaries.
