‘Pure Malevolence’: Anguish and Fury as South Africans Allegedly Deceived into Battling for Russia

One parent has had no contact with her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and its neighbor. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.

“My health is truly suffering,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It’s not easy for me.”

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 serving with Russian military forces. The purported operation is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Claims about the individual's involvement began to surface recently after the South African government announced it was attempting to assist nationals stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, 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 sent shock waves through South Africa, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Statistics show 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 relatives far from home dread for their lives.

A Fateful Introduction

Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with the accused via a family connection when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in Russia.

A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be instructed to become security personnel for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could enrol on a personal development programme, upon completion they could study abroad and even obtain Russian citizenship.

Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’”

A Complex Backdrop

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 advocating for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers.

She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. On social media, she has shared posts aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow.

Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of serious offenses related to online posts during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

From Airport to Battlefield

The men allegedly gathered at a travel hub in early July 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 contacts, stating they were being split up. One message clearly read: “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. A document associated with another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been active in the hostilities since its beginning.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

In early November, the national leadership confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was working to secure their return. The government noted that assisting foreign militaries without official permission is against the law.

The political rift between current and former leaders adds a layer of complication to the situation. At first, the contingent included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to return home.

A subsequent conversation between the accused and families of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Soon thereafter, the police report was lodged by another family member, accusing her half-sister 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 an associate 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 elected role.

Other individuals were unavailable for comment. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to requests for comment.

Broader Implications

Reports suggest that hundreds of African nationals are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about these activities.

In a separate case, several other South Africans including a media personality recently faced a judge on charges relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Meanwhile, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “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?”