‘Pure Malevolence’: Heartbreak and Fury as South Africans Allegedly Deceived into Battling for Russian Forces

One parent has not heard from her son since late August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the war 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 get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It is an immense struggle.”

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 purported operation is linked to a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to emerge recently following the South African government said it was attempting to assist nationals trapped in the war zone. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint claiming that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men.

This claim sent shock waves through the nation, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Statistics show a substantial percentage of under-35s are unemployed and not studying.

These individuals are believed to be trapped in a war they never agreed to join, while their relatives far from home dread for their lives.

The Initial Contact

Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to the accused 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 allegedly told they would be trained as security personnel for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could enrol on a self-improvement course, after which they could study abroad and even secure Russian citizenship.

Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’”

A Complex Backdrop

Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who retains significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Moscow date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in pushing for stronger alliances with countries often at odds with Western powers.

She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. On social media, she has made statements aligning herself with the government in Moscow.

Separately, she is currently on trial on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

The Journey to War

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

In the following weeks, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, 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.”

In late August, the son contacted his parent to say he was being pressured 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 involved in the hostilities since its outset.

Official Actions and Family Despair

Recently, the office of the South African president confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was working to bring them home. The government emphasized that recruiting for external armed forces without state authorization is against the law.

The political rift between current and former leaders adds a layer of complexity to the case. Initially, the group included 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to come back.

A mid-November call between the accused and families of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Shortly after, the formal allegation was filed by another family member, accusing her sibling and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit asserting she had been misled by an associate into believing it was a legitimate 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 could not be reached for comment. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to inquiries.

Broader Implications

Authorities have indicated that hundreds of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment.

In a separate case, several other South Africans including a media personality recently faced a judge on charges relating to involvement for Russia.

Meanwhile, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “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?”