‘Pure Malevolence’: Anguish and Anger as South Africans Reportedly Deceived into Fighting for Russian Forces

A mother has not heard from her son since late August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being sent to the battle lines of the war between Russia and its neighbor. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with worry.

“My health is truly suffering,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.”

Her son was part of a group of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were tricked into fighting for Russia. The alleged scheme is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface recently following the national authorities announced it was attempting to assist nationals stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men.

This claim rippled through South Africa, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a large portion of under-35s are unemployed and not studying.

The men are believed to be caught in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their relatives thousands of miles away dread for their lives.

A Fateful Introduction

Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that contact was made in June with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country.

A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be trained as security personnel for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could enrol on a self-improvement course, after which they could study abroad and even obtain foreign nationality.

Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’”

Political Connections

Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Moscow date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in advocating for closer relationships with countries often at in conflict with Western powers.

The accused has also frequently declared her support of Russia. On social media, she has made statements aligning herself with the government in Moscow.

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

From Airport to Battlefield

The men reportedly met at a major international airport in the summer before flying to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August reportedly show the group's concerns.

In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were being split up. One message clearly read: “We are with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the son contacted his parent to say he was being forced to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. A document linked to 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

Recently, the national leadership said it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government emphasized that recruiting for external armed forces without official permission is against the law.

The political rift between the two political figures introduces an element of complexity to the situation. Initially, the group included 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to come back.

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

In response, the accused 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 anyone to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her elected role.

The other named recruiters were unavailable 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 citizens from African countries are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment.

In a separate case, five more individuals among them a public figure recently faced a judge on charges relating to involvement for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, 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. “Promises were made that they weren’t going to war and she lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”