‘Pure Malevolence’: Heartbreak and Anger as Citizens Allegedly Tricked into Fighting for Russia

One parent has had no contact with her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the battle lines of the war between Russia and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.”

Her son was part of a group of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is connected with a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface last month after the South African government said it was attempting to assist nationals stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men.

The accusation sent shock waves through the nation, where the wider scandal has highlighted the dire economic situation 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 never agreed to join, while their families thousands of miles away dread for their lives.

The Initial Contact

Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was presented as an exciting opportunity in Russia.

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 enrol on a personal development programme, after which they could study abroad and even secure foreign nationality.

Early hesitation was overcome by 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, they need to go urgently.’”

A Complex Backdrop

Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a vocal supporter of her father, who holds significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Moscow date back many years. The former president has been at the forefront in pushing for stronger alliances with countries often at odds with Western powers.

She has also publicly expressed her backing for Russia. On social media, she has made statements showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow.

Separately, she is currently on trial on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during past unrest. She denies those charges.

The Journey to War

The group reportedly met at a major international airport in the summer before flying to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups dated July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns.

In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. A communication clearly read: “We are with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”

In late August, the young man called his mother to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. A document linked to another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been involved in the war since its beginning.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

In early November, the office of the South African president said it had been contacted by the men and was working to bring them home. The government emphasized that assisting external armed forces without official permission is illegal.

A deep rivalry between the two political figures introduces an element of complication to the case. Initially, the group included 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 little clarity. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was filed by another relative, claiming her half-sister and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

Reacting to this, the accused submitted a statement 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 excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role.

The other named recruiters were unavailable for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to inquiries.

Broader Implications

Authorities have indicated that hundreds of African nationals are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment.

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.

Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could 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?”