‘Pure Malevolence’: Heartbreak and Fury as South Africans Allegedly Tricked into Battling for Russia

One parent has had no contact with her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he voiced concern that he was being sent to the battle lines of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with worry.

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

The young man was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were tricked into serving with Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is linked to a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about the individual's involvement began to emerge last month following the South African government said it was attempting to assist citizens trapped in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men.

This claim rippled through South Africa, where the broader situation has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of under-35s are unemployed and not studying.

The men 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 name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with the accused through a relative years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was described as an exciting opportunity in Russia.

Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be trained as bodyguards for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could enrol on a personal development programme, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even obtain foreign nationality.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the program and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’”

Political Connections

Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a fierce defender of her father, who holds significant sway nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Russia date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in advocating for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers.

The accused has also frequently declared her support of Russia. Online, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow.

In another matter, she is currently on trial on accusations of serious offenses related to online posts during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

From Airport to Battlefield

The men reportedly met at a travel hub in early July before flying to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August reportedly show the group's concerns.

In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were separated. One message explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

In late August, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. A document associated with another member of the group seems to be a contract with a designated force that has been active in the hostilities since its outset.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

Recently, the office of the South African president confirmed 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.

The political rift between current and former leaders introduces an element of complication to the case. At first, the contingent included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to return home.

A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men allegedly provided no answers. Shortly after, the formal allegation was filed by another family member, claiming her half-sister and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

In response, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement claiming she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role.

Other individuals could not be reached for a statement. An official representative said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to inquiries.

A Wider Pattern

Reports suggest that hundreds of African nationals are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment.

Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals among them a public figure recently appeared in court on charges relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Meanwhile, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could take a child … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”