‘Pure Malevolence’: Anguish and Anger as South Africans Allegedly Tricked into Battling for Russian Forces

One parent has had no contact with her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he voiced concern that he was being sent to the frontlines of the war between Russia and its neighbor. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with worry.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It is an immense struggle.”

Her son was part of a group of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russia. The alleged scheme is linked to a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Claims about the individual's role began to emerge recently following the national authorities said it was trying to help citizens stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men.

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

The men are believed to be trapped in a war they never agreed to join, while their relatives far from home fear for their lives.

A Fateful Introduction

Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that contact was made in June with what was presented as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country.

Some of the men were allegedly told they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could join a personal development programme, upon completion they could study abroad and even obtain foreign nationality.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’”

Political Connections

Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a vocal supporter of her parent, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Moscow date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in advocating for closer relationships with countries often at in conflict with Western powers.

She has also frequently declared her support of Russia. Online, she has made statements aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow.

In another matter, she is currently on trial on accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

The Journey to War

The men reportedly met at a travel hub in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease.

By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. A communication explicitly stated: “We are 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 forced to sign a contract in Russian. An agreement linked to another member of the group seems to be a contract with a specific military unit 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 working to secure their return. The government emphasized that assisting foreign militaries without state authorization is illegal.

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

A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Shortly after, the police report was filed by another family member, claiming her half-sister and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

Reacting to this, the accused submitted a statement claiming she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a legitimate program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position.

Other individuals could not be reached for comment. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to inquiries.

Broader Implications

Reports suggest that a significant number of African nationals are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about these activities.

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

Meanwhile, Mary continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “For someone to take a child … I think that is sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”