‘Pure Malevolence’: Anguish and Fury as South Africans Reportedly Tricked into Battling for Russia

A mother has not heard from her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the battle lines of the ongoing conflict between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with worry.

“My health is truly suffering,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.”

The young man was part of a group of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russian military forces. The purported operation is linked to a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Allegations about the individual's role began to emerge recently after the national authorities said it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in the war zone. Then, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men.

The accusation sent shock waves through the nation, where the broader situation has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of young adults are not in work or education.

These individuals are thought to remain caught in a war they did not sign up for, while their families far from home dread for their lives.

The Initial Contact

Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to the accused via a family connection when her son was still a child. 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 trained as bodyguards for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could enrol on a self-improvement course, upon completion they could study abroad and even obtain Russian citizenship.

Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’”

Political Connections

Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a vocal supporter of her father, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Russia date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in advocating for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers.

She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. Online, she has made statements showing solidarity to the government in Moscow.

Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during previous riots. She denies those charges.

The Journey to War

The men allegedly gathered at a travel hub in early July before traveling to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups from July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns.

In the following weeks, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, stating they were being split up. One message explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”

In late August, the son contacted his parent to say he was being forced to sign a contract in Russian. An agreement associated with another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been active in the war since its outset.

Official Actions and Family Despair

In early November, the national leadership said it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government emphasized that recruiting for external armed forces without official permission is against the law.

A deep rivalry between the two political figures introduces an element of complication to the case. At first, the group included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to come back.

A subsequent conversation between the accused and families of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Soon thereafter, the police report was lodged by another family member, claiming her sibling and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

In response, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement asserting she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate program. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role.

The other named recruiters could not be reached for comment. An official representative said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to inquiries.

Broader Implications

Reports suggest that hundreds of African nationals are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about these activities.

Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals including a media personality recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia.

Meanwhile, the mother continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … That constitutes sheer wickedness,” she said. “Promises were made that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”