‘Pure Malevolence’: Heartbreak and Fury as Citizens Allegedly Deceived into Fighting for Russia

A mother has had no contact with her son since late August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being sent to the frontlines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.

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

Her son was among a contingent of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in legal filings, were tricked into fighting for Russian military forces. The purported operation is linked to a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Claims about the individual's role began to surface recently following the national authorities announced it was attempting to assist citizens trapped in Ukraine. Then, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men.

The accusation rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal has highlighted the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Statistics show a large portion of under-35s are not in work or education.

The men are believed to be caught in a war they never agreed to join, while their relatives thousands of miles away dread for their lives.

The Initial Contact

The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to 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 lucrative prospect in Russia.

Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be trained as bodyguards for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could join a personal development programme, after which they could study abroad and even obtain foreign nationality.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the school and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’”

A Complex Backdrop

Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a vocal supporter of her parent, who holds significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Moscow date back decades. The former president 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. On social media, she has made statements aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow.

In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during previous riots. She denies those charges.

From Airport to Battlefield

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

By mid-August, 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.”

In late August, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in Russian. 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 beginning.

Official Actions and Family Despair

Recently, the office of the South African president confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was working to secure their return. The government noted that recruiting for external armed forces without state authorization is illegal.

A deep rivalry between current and former leaders adds a layer of complication to the situation. Initially, the contingent numbered 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to come back.

A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men allegedly provided no answers. Shortly after, the formal allegation was lodged 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.

Reacting to this, the accused filed her own affidavit asserting she had been misled by an associate 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 a statement. An official representative said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to inquiries.

A Wider Pattern

Authorities have indicated that a significant number 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.

In a separate case, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Meanwhile, Mary continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “For someone to take a child … That constitutes sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”