‘Pure Malevolence’: Heartbreak and Fury as South Africans Reportedly Deceived into Fighting for Russia

One parent has had no contact with her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the battle lines of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with anxiety.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.”

The young man was part of a group of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russian military forces. The purported operation is connected with a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Claims about the individual's role began to surface last month following the national authorities said it was trying to help citizens trapped in Ukraine. Then, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men.

The accusation sent shock waves through South Africa, where the broader situation has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Statistics show a substantial percentage of under-35s are not in work or education.

The men are believed to be caught in a war they did not sign up for, while their families thousands of miles away dread for their lives.

The Initial Contact

The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with the accused via a family connection years ago. She stated that contact was made in June with what was described as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country.

Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be trained as security personnel for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could enrol on a personal development programme, after which they could attend a Russian university and even secure Russian citizenship.

Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’”

Political Connections

The accused, has long been a vocal supporter of her parent, who retains significant sway nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Russia date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in pushing for closer relationships with countries often at odds with Western powers.

The accused has also publicly expressed her backing for Russia. Online, 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 group allegedly gathered at a travel hub in early July before traveling to Moscow. Communication records from online forums dated July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease.

In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. A communication explicitly stated: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the son called his mother to say he was being forced to sign a contract in Russian. An agreement linked to another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been involved in the war since its outset.

Official Actions and Family Despair

In early November, the office of the South African president said it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government noted 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 numbered twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to return home.

A mid-November call between the accused and relatives of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Shortly after, the police report was lodged 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, the accused submitted a statement asserting she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a proper training course. “I would not knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role.

Other individuals 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.

Broader Implications

Authorities have indicated that a significant number of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment.

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

Meanwhile, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could take a child … That constitutes sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”