‘Pure Malevolence’: Anguish and Fury as Citizens Reportedly Tricked into Battling for Russian Forces

A mother has had no contact with her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear 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 worry.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It’s not easy for me.”

The young man was part of a group of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in legal filings, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is connected with a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about the individual's role began to surface last month following the national authorities said it was trying to help citizens stranded in Ukraine. Then, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men.

This claim rippled through South Africa, where the wider scandal has highlighted the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of young adults are not in work or education.

These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a war they did not sign up for, while their relatives thousands of miles away dread for their lives.

The Initial Contact

The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with the accused via a family connection years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in Russia.

Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be trained as bodyguards for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could join a self-improvement course, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even obtain foreign nationality.

Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’”

A Complex Backdrop

Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a vocal supporter of her father, who retains significant sway nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Moscow date back many years. The former president has been at the forefront in advocating for stronger alliances with countries often at in conflict with Western powers.

She has also frequently declared her support of Russia. On social media, she has made statements showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow.

Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during previous riots. She denies those charges.

The Journey to War

The men reportedly met at a travel hub in early July before flying to Moscow. Communication records from online forums dated July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease.

In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. A communication clearly read: “We have been placed with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the son called his mother to say he was being forced to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. A document associated with another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been involved in the war since its outset.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

In early November, the national leadership confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was working to secure their return. The government noted that assisting external armed forces without state authorization is against the law.

A deep rivalry between the two political figures introduces an element of complexity to the case. Initially, the contingent numbered twenty individuals, but three were allowed to return home.

A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another relative, accusing her sibling and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

In response, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement asserting she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a proper training course. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position.

The other named recruiters could not be reached for a statement. An official representative said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to requests for comment.

A Wider Pattern

Reports suggest that a significant number of African nationals are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about these activities.

Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans including a media personality recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia.

Meanwhile, Mary continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”