‘Pure Malevolence’: Heartbreak and Fury as South Africans Allegedly Deceived into Fighting for Russian Forces

One parent has had no contact with her son since late August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.

“My health is truly suffering,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It is an immense struggle.”

The young man was among a contingent of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is connected with a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to emerge recently after the national authorities announced it was attempting to assist nationals stranded in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men.

This claim rippled through the nation, where the broader situation has shone a light on the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of under-35s are not in work or education.

The men are thought to remain caught in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their relatives thousands of miles away dread for their lives.

The Initial Contact

Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to the accused via a family connection when her son was still a child. She stated that contact was made in the middle of the year 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 led by Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could enrol on a self-improvement course, after which they could attend a Russian university and even obtain foreign nationality.

Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements 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, is known as a fierce defender of her parent, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Russia date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in pushing for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers.

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

In another matter, she is currently on trial on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during past unrest. 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 online forums dated July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease.

By mid-August, the men began questioning 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.”

In late August, the son called his mother to say he was being forced to agree to terms in Russian. An agreement associated with another member of the group seems to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been involved in the hostilities since its beginning.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

Recently, the office of the South African president confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was working to bring them home. The government noted that recruiting for external armed forces without state authorization is illegal.

The political rift between the two political figures introduces an element of complexity to the situation. Initially, the group numbered twenty individuals, but three were allowed to come back.

A subsequent conversation between the accused and relatives of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Shortly after, the police report was filed by another relative, accusing her half-sister and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

In response, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit claiming she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a proper program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role.

Other individuals were unavailable for comment. An official representative said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to inquiries.

A Wider Pattern

Reports suggest that a significant number of citizens from African countries are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment.

In a separate case, five more individuals among them a public figure recently faced a judge on charges relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could take a child … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”