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

A mother has had no contact with her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the frontlines of the war between Russia and its neighbor. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.

“My health is truly suffering,” she said, fatigue 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 among a contingent of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in legal filings, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russia. The alleged scheme is connected with a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface last month following the national authorities announced it was trying to help nationals stranded in the war zone. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report claiming that several individuals had misled the men.

This claim sent shock waves through South Africa, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Statistics show a substantial percentage of young adults are not in work or education.

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

A Fateful Introduction

Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to the accused through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that contact was made in the middle of the year with what was described as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country.

Some of the men were allegedly told they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could enrol on a personal development programme, upon completion they could study abroad and even obtain foreign nationality.

Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’”

A Complex Backdrop

Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a vocal supporter 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 at the forefront in advocating for stronger alliances with nations often at in conflict with Western powers.

She has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. Online, she has made statements aligning herself with the government in Moscow.

In another matter, she is currently on trial on accusations of serious offenses related to social media activity during previous riots. She denies those charges.

From Airport to Battlefield

The men allegedly gathered at a major international airport in the summer before flying to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups from July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease.

By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, stating they were separated. One message clearly read: “We are with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the young man called his mother 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 hostilities since its beginning.

Official Actions and Family Despair

In early November, the national leadership said it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government noted that recruiting for foreign militaries without official permission is illegal.

A deep rivalry between current and former leaders introduces an element of complication to the case. At first, the group numbered twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to return home.

A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Shortly after, the formal allegation was filed by another relative, accusing her half-sister and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

In response, the accused submitted a statement asserting she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a proper program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role.

The other named recruiters could not be reached for comment. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to requests for comment.

A Wider Pattern

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

Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals among them a public figure recently appeared in court on charges relating to involvement for Russia.

Meanwhile, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “For someone to take a child … I think that is sheer wickedness,” she said. “Promises were made that they weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”