‘Pure Malevolence’: Heartbreak and Fury as Citizens 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 Ukraine. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with worry.

“My health is truly suffering,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.”

Her son was part of a group of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in legal filings, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russia. The purported operation is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to surface recently following the national authorities said it was attempting to assist nationals trapped in the war zone. Then, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report alleging that several individuals had misled the men.

The accusation rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal 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.

These individuals are thought to remain caught in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their families far from home fear for their lives.

The Initial Contact

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 contact was made 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 faction associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could enrol on a self-improvement course, after which they could attend a Russian university and even secure foreign nationality.

Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’”

Political Connections

The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Moscow date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in pushing for closer relationships with nations often at in conflict with Western powers.

The accused has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. Online, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the government in Moscow.

Separately, 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 reportedly met at a travel hub in early July before flying to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups from July and August reportedly show the group's concerns.

By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. One message explicitly stated: “We have been placed 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 contract with a designated force that has been involved in the hostilities since its outset.

Official Actions and Family Despair

Recently, the office of the South African president confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was working to secure their return. The government noted that recruiting for external armed forces without official permission is against the law.

The political rift between current and former leaders adds a layer of complication to the case. Initially, the group included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to come back.

A subsequent conversation between the accused and relatives of the men allegedly provided no answers. Shortly after, the formal allegation was filed by another relative, accusing her half-sister and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

In response, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit asserting she had been misled by another recruiter 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.

Other individuals could not be reached for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to inquiries.

A Wider Pattern

Authorities have indicated that hundreds of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls 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 charges relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Meanwhile, the mother continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … That constitutes sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”