‘Pure Malevolence’: Anguish and Fury as South Africans Reportedly Deceived into Fighting for Russia

A mother has had no contact with her son since late August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being sent to the battle lines of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with worry.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It is an immense struggle.”

The young man was part of a group of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russia. The purported operation is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface recently after the national authorities announced it was trying to help citizens stranded 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.

The accusation rippled through South Africa, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Statistics show a substantial percentage of young adults 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.

The Initial Contact

The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla through a relative years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was described as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country.

A portion of the group were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could join a self-improvement course, after which they could attend a Russian university and even secure Russian citizenship.

Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’”

Political Connections

The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who holds significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Moscow date back decades. The former president has been a leading figure in advocating for closer relationships with countries often at in conflict with Western powers.

She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. Online, she has shared posts aligning herself with the government in Moscow.

Separately, she is currently on trial on charges of serious offenses related to online posts during previous riots. She denies those charges.

From Airport to Battlefield

The group reportedly met at a major international airport in early July before traveling to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups dated July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease.

In the following weeks, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. One message clearly read: “We have been placed with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the son contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. A document linked to another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been involved in the war since its outset.

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 emphasized that assisting foreign militaries without official permission is illegal.

The political rift between the two political figures adds a layer of complication to the case. At first, the group included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to return home.

A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Soon thereafter, 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.

Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit claiming she had been deceived 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 parts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position.

The other named recruiters were unavailable for comment. An official representative said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to inquiries.

Broader Implications

Reports suggest that hundreds of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about these activities.

In a separate case, five more individuals including a media personality recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to exploit a young person … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”