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

A mother has had no contact with her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern 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 worry.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.”

The young man was part of a group of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into fighting for Russian military forces. The purported operation is connected with a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about the individual's involvement began to surface last month after the national authorities said it was trying to help citizens stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, filed a police report alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men.

This claim rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of young adults are unemployed and not studying.

The men are thought to remain caught in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their families thousands of miles away 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 when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was described as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country.

Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become security personnel for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could enrol on a self-improvement course, upon completion 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 program and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’”

A Complex Backdrop

The accused, is known as a vocal supporter of her parent, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Moscow date back many years. The former president has been a leading figure in pushing for stronger alliances with countries often at in conflict with Western powers.

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

Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during past unrest. She denies those charges.

The Journey to War

The men reportedly met at a major international airport in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups from 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 military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in Russian. A document linked to another member of the group appears to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been active in the war since its outset.

Official Actions and Family Despair

In early November, 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 state authorization is against the law.

The political rift between the two political figures introduces an element of complexity to the case. Initially, the group numbered 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to return home.

A mid-November call between the accused and families of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was filed by another family member, claiming her half-sister and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

In response, the accused submitted a statement asserting she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a legitimate training course. “I would not knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position.

Other individuals were unavailable for comment. An official representative said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to requests for comment.

Broader Implications

Reports suggest that hundreds of citizens from African countries are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about these activities.

Unrelated to this incident, 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 consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”