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

One parent has not heard from her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he voiced concern that he was being sent to the frontlines of the war between Russia and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with worry.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.”

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

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about the individual's involvement began to surface last month after the South African government said it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men.

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

The men are believed to be caught in a war they never agreed to join, while their families thousands of miles away fear for their lives.

The Initial Contact

Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection years ago. She stated that contact was made in the middle of the year with what was described as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country.

A portion of the group were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could join a self-improvement course, upon completion they could study abroad and even obtain foreign nationality.

Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the school and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’”

Political Connections

The accused, is known as a fierce defender of her parent, who retains significant sway nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Moscow date back many years. The former president has been a leading figure in pushing for closer relationships 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.

In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of serious offenses related to online posts during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

From Airport to Battlefield

The men allegedly gathered at a travel hub in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups from July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns.

In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were separated. One message explicitly stated: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”

In late August, the young man called his mother to say he was being pressured 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 active in the hostilities since its outset.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

In early November, the national leadership confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government noted that assisting external armed forces without state authorization is illegal.

A deep rivalry between the two political figures introduces an element of complication to the case. Initially, the group included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to come back.

A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men reportedly yielded 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.

Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit claiming she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a legitimate training course. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position.

The other named recruiters could not be reached for a statement. An official representative said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to inquiries.

A Wider Pattern

Authorities have indicated that a significant number of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about these activities.

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

Meanwhile, the mother 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 weren’t going to war and she lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”