‘Pure Malevolence’: Anguish and Fury as South Africans Reportedly Deceived into Fighting 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 Ukraine. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with anxiety.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.”

Her son was part of a group of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to legal filings, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russia. The purported operation is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about the individual's role began to surface recently after the national authorities said it was trying to help nationals stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men.

This claim rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Statistics show a substantial percentage of young adults are unemployed and not studying.

These individuals are believed to be caught in a war they did not sign up for, while their relatives far from home fear for their lives.

The Initial Contact

The mother, 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 presented as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country.

Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could enrol on a personal development programme, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even secure Russian citizenship.

Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the program and it was just so rushed,” she said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’”

Political Connections

The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her father, who retains 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 backing for Russia. Online, she has made statements showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow.

In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

The Journey to War

The men allegedly gathered 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 began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were separated. One message explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the young man called his mother to say he was being forced to agree to terms in Russian. An agreement linked to another member of the group appears to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been active in the hostilities since its beginning.

Official Actions and Family Despair

In early November, the office of the South African president confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government emphasized that recruiting for foreign militaries without official permission is illegal.

A deep rivalry between the two political figures introduces an element of complexity to the situation. Initially, the group included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to come back.

A mid-November call between the accused and relatives of the men allegedly provided no answers. Soon thereafter, the police report was filed by another family member, claiming 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 submitted a statement asserting she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a legitimate program. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position.

The other named recruiters were unavailable for comment. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to inquiries.

A Wider Pattern

Reports suggest that hundreds of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about these activities.

In a separate case, five more individuals including a media personality recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “For someone to 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. What kind of person does that?”