‘Pure Malevolence’: Anguish and Fury as South Africans Allegedly Tricked into Fighting for Russia

A mother has had no contact with her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with anxiety.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, exhaustion 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’s not easy for me.”

Her son was among a contingent of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to emerge recently following the South African government said it was attempting to assist nationals stranded in Ukraine. Then, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men.

This claim rippled through the nation, where the broader situation has shone a light on the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of young adults are not in work or education.

The men are thought to remain caught in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their relatives far from home dread for their lives.

A Fateful Introduction

Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with 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 exciting opportunity in the foreign country.

Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be trained as security personnel for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could join a self-improvement course, after which they could study abroad and even secure Russian citizenship.

Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the program and it was just so rushed,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’”

A Complex Backdrop

The accused, is known as a vocal supporter of her parent, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Russia date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in advocating for closer relationships with countries 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 government in Moscow.

Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during past unrest. She denies those charges.

The Journey to War

The men allegedly gathered at a major international airport in early July before traveling to Moscow. Communication records from online forums from July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns.

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

Towards the month's end, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. An agreement associated with another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been involved in the hostilities since its beginning.

Official Actions and Family Despair

Recently, the national leadership said it had been contacted by the men and was working to bring them home. The government emphasized that assisting foreign militaries without official permission is illegal.

The political rift between the two political figures adds a layer of complexity to the situation. Initially, the group numbered 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to return home.

A mid-November call between the accused and families of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Shortly after, the formal allegation was lodged by another relative, accusing her sibling and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit asserting she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a proper training course. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position.

Other individuals 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 requests for comment.

Broader Implications

Authorities have indicated that hundreds of citizens from African countries are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about these activities.

Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently faced a judge on charges relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “For someone to take a child … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they would not see combat and she lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”