‘Pure Malevolence’: Heartbreak and Fury as South Africans Allegedly Tricked into Battling 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 war between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with worry.

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

Her son was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russian military forces. The purported operation is connected with a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Allegations about the individual's involvement began to surface recently following the national authorities announced it was attempting to assist nationals trapped in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report claiming that several individuals had misled the men.

This claim sent shock waves through South Africa, 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 under-35s are not in work or education.

The men are thought to remain trapped in a war they never agreed to join, while their families far from home fear for their lives.

A Fateful Introduction

Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to the accused 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 described as an lucrative prospect in Russia.

A portion of the group were reportedly promised they would be trained as bodyguards for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could enrol on a self-improvement course, upon completion they could study abroad and even obtain foreign nationality.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the school and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’”

Political Connections

Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who holds significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Russia date back decades. The former president has been a leading figure in pushing for stronger alliances with countries often at odds with Western powers.

The accused has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. On social media, she has made statements aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow.

In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on charges 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 the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups from July and August reportedly show the group's concerns.

By mid-August, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were separated. One message clearly read: “We are with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

In late August, the young man called his mother to say he was being forced to sign a contract in Russian. An agreement linked to another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been involved in the war since its outset.

Official Actions and Family Despair

Recently, the office of the South African president said it had received distress calls the men and was working to bring them home. The government noted that recruiting for foreign militaries without official permission is against the law.

A deep rivalry between current and former leaders adds a layer of complication to the situation. Initially, the group numbered twenty individuals, but three were allowed to return home.

A mid-November call between the accused and relatives of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was lodged by another relative, claiming her sibling and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit asserting she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a proper program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position.

Other individuals were unavailable for comment. An official representative said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate 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 such recruitment.

Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals among them a public figure recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Meanwhile, Mary continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”