KZN Father’s Agonizing Wait as Son Fights for Survival in War-Torn Ukraine

Key Takeaways

• 17 South African men, including a 20-year-old son of a father named Dubandlela, were allegedly recruited by a mercenary group and sent to join Russian forces in Ukraine.
• The men claim they were scammed into joining the war under false promises of elite training as VIP bodyguards in Russia.
• The alleged scam is being investigated by the Hawks, with a focus on the alleged involvement of former president Jacob Zuma’s daughter Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla.
• The men are facing grave danger to their lives, with some reporting poor living conditions, lack of food and water, and being forced to dig trenches in the freezing cold.
• Other African countries, including Kenya and Botswana, have also reported cases of citizens being duped into joining the war in Ukraine under false promises.

Introduction to the Scam
Dubandlela, a 56-year-old father of three, was overcome with pride when his 20-year-old son signed up to receive elite training as a VIP bodyguard in Russia in July. However, five months later, Dubandlela is in despair as his son had fallen for an alleged recruitment scam. The scam, which is being investigated by the Hawks, allegedly involved 17 South African men who were conscripted by an unspecified mercenary group and sent to join Russian forces in Ukraine. Dubandlela blames himself for not being able to afford university fees for his son, which may have led him to seek alternative opportunities.

The Investigation
The investigation into the scam is ongoing, with a focus on the alleged involvement of former president Jacob Zuma’s daughter Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla. Zuma-Sambudla has denied knowing of the scam and has resigned as a lawmaker in the MK Party. The probe is being treated as a suspected crime against the state, as it is unlawful for South Africans to provide unauthorized military assistance to foreign states, armed groups, or mercenaries. The Russian foreign ministry has not responded to requests for comment on the alleged scam or the current circumstances of the 17 South African men.

The Recruits’ Experience
The 17 South African men were presented with contracts in Russian in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don, which they were reluctant to sign due to the lack of a translator. However, Zuma-Sambudla, who was present, persuaded them to sign, saying they were contracts for security training. When the recruits found out they were going to war, they were shocked. They reported poor living conditions, lack of food and water, and being forced to dig trenches in the freezing cold. One of the recruits shared WhatsApp exchanges with Reuters, which showed Zuma-Sambudla downplaying the risks of the situation, saying "it’s not the front line" and "there’s no stress."

International Implications
The scam is not isolated to South Africa, as other African countries have also reported cases of citizens being duped into joining the war in Ukraine under false promises. Kenya has reported over 200 of its citizens fighting for Russia in Ukraine, while Botswana has reported two men being duped into joining the war. 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 commented on foreign mercenaries fighting in Ukraine.

Personal Stories
One of the recruits, a 40-year-old South African bodyguard, shared his story with Reuters. He said he and the other recruits frequently had their phones taken off them and often ate just bread and tinned fish. They loaded artillery shells into launchers and had basic military equipment, but feared for their lives. Another story is that of 22-year-old Kenyan David Kuloba, who agreed to "voluntarily… enter military service" in a contract in Russian. He reassured his mother that he would be safe, but was killed in an explosion on the front line. His mother received a voice message from one of his fellow combatants on WhatsApp, informing her of his death.

Conclusion
The alleged recruitment scam that has affected 17 South African men is a serious issue that highlights the risks of unauthorized military recruitment. The investigation into the scam is ongoing, and it is essential that those responsible are held accountable. The international implications of the scam are also significant, as it highlights the involvement of African countries in the conflict in Ukraine. The personal stories of the recruits and their families serve as a reminder of the human cost of war and the importance of ensuring that those who are recruited to fight are aware of the risks they are taking.