‘Pure Malevolence’: Heartbreak and Fury as South Africans Allegedly Tricked into Battling for Russia

One parent has not heard from her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the frontlines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.

“My health is truly suffering,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.”

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

A Political Bombshell

Claims about the individual's role began to emerge last month after the South African government announced it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint claiming 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 a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a large portion of young adults are not in work or education.

These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a war they never agreed to join, while their families far from home fear for their lives.

A Fateful Introduction

The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection years ago. She stated that contact was made in the middle of the year with what was presented as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country.

A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be trained as security personnel for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could join a personal development programme, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even obtain foreign nationality.

Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the program and it was just so rushed,” she said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’”

A Complex Backdrop

Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a fierce defender of her parent, who retains significant sway nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Moscow date back decades. The former president has been a leading figure in pushing for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers.

The accused has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. On social media, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the government in Moscow.

Separately, 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 men reportedly met at a major international airport in the summer before flying to Moscow. Messages from online forums dated July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease.

By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, stating they were being split up. One message explicitly stated: “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 forced to agree to terms in Russian. An agreement associated with another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been active in the war since its beginning.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

In early November, the office of the South African president confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government noted that assisting external armed forces without state authorization is illegal.

A deep rivalry between the two political figures adds a layer of complication to the case. Initially, the group numbered 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to come back.

A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was filed by another family member, claiming her half-sister and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

Reacting to this, the accused filed her own affidavit claiming she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a proper program. “I would not knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position.

The other named recruiters were unavailable for a statement. An official representative said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment.

A Wider Pattern

Reports suggest that a significant number of African nationals are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment.

In a separate case, five more individuals including a media personality recently faced a judge on charges relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Meanwhile, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “For someone to exploit a young person … I think that is sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”