‘Pure Malevolence’: Anguish and Fury as Citizens Allegedly Deceived into Fighting for Russian Forces

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

“I’m honestly really sick,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.”

Her son was part of a group of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russia. The purported operation is connected with a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to emerge recently after the South African government announced it was trying to help nationals trapped in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint claiming that several individuals had misled the men.

This claim rippled through South Africa, 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 conflict they did not sign up for, while their relatives far from home fear for their lives.

The Initial Contact

The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was described as an lucrative prospect in Russia.

A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be trained as bodyguards for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could join a personal development programme, after which they could study abroad and even secure foreign nationality.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the school and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’”

Political Connections

Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a fierce defender of her father, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Russia date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in advocating for closer relationships with countries often at odds with Western powers.

The accused has also frequently declared her support of Russia. Online, she has made statements showing solidarity to the government in Moscow.

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

From Airport to Battlefield

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

By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. One message clearly read: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the son called his mother to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. An agreement associated with another member of the group seems to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been active 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 secure their return. The government noted that recruiting for foreign militaries without state authorization is against the law.

The political rift between current and former leaders adds a layer of complexity to the situation. Initially, the group included twenty individuals, but three were allowed to come back.

A mid-November call between the accused and relatives of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another family member, claiming her sibling 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 asserting she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate training course. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position.

Other individuals could not be reached for comment. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment.

Broader Implications

Reports suggest that a significant number of citizens from African countries are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment.

In a separate case, several other South Africans among them a public figure 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 take a child … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”