‘Pure Malevolence’: Anguish and Fury as South Africans Reportedly Deceived into Battling for Russian Forces

One parent has had no contact with her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.

“My health is truly suffering,” she said, exhaustion 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’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 tricked into fighting for Russian military forces. The purported operation is linked to a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Claims about the individual's role began to surface last month following the national authorities said it was attempting to assist citizens trapped in the war zone. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint alleging that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men.

This claim 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 young adults are unemployed and not studying.

The men are believed to be trapped in a war they never agreed to join, while their families thousands of miles away fear for their lives.

The Initial Contact

The mother, whose name has been changed, 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 June with what was described as an exciting opportunity in Russia.

Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could enrol on a personal development programme, after which they could attend a Russian university and even obtain foreign nationality.

Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the program and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’”

A Complex Backdrop

Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a fierce defender of her father, who retains significant sway nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Russia date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in pushing for closer relationships with countries often at in conflict with Western powers.

She has also publicly expressed her backing for Russia. Online, she has made statements aligning herself with the government in Moscow.

Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of serious offenses related to social media activity during previous riots. She denies those charges.

The Journey to War

The group reportedly met at a travel hub in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups dated July and August reportedly show the group's concerns.

In the following weeks, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were separated. One message explicitly stated: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being forced to agree to terms in Russian. A document linked to another member of the group appears to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been involved in the war since its beginning.

Official Actions and Family Despair

Recently, the national leadership confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government noted that assisting foreign militaries without official permission is against the law.

A deep rivalry between the two political figures adds a layer of complexity to the case. Initially, the contingent included twenty individuals, but three were allowed to return home.

A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Shortly after, the formal allegation was filed by another relative, claiming her half-sister and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

In response, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit asserting she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a proper training course. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position.

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

Broader Implications

Authorities have indicated that hundreds of citizens from African countries are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment.

In a separate case, five more individuals among them a public figure recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Meanwhile, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “For someone to take a child … I think that is 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?”