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

A mother 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 ongoing conflict between Russia and its neighbor. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.

“My health is truly suffering,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It’s not easy for me.”

The young man was among a contingent of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russia. The purported operation is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to emerge last month after the South African government announced it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in Ukraine. Then, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men.

This claim rippled through the nation, where the broader situation has shone a light on the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Statistics show a large portion of young adults are unemployed and not studying.

These individuals are thought to remain caught in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their relatives far from home dread for their lives.

The Initial Contact

The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with 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 Russia.

Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could join a self-improvement course, after which they could attend a Russian university and even obtain Russian citizenship.

Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the school and it was just so rushed,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’”

Political Connections

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 a leading figure in pushing for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers.

She has also publicly expressed her backing for Russia. On social media, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the government in Moscow.

In another matter, she is currently on trial on accusations 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 reportedly met at a travel hub in early July before flying to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns.

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

In late August, the young man called his mother to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in Russian. A document linked to another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been active in the hostilities since its beginning.

Official Actions and Family Despair

In early November, the office of the South African president confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was working to bring them home. The government emphasized that assisting foreign militaries without official permission is against the law.

A deep rivalry between current and former leaders introduces an element of complication to the situation. Initially, the group included 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to return home.

A subsequent conversation between the accused and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was filed by another family member, accusing her half-sister and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement claiming she had been misled by an associate 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 could not be reached for a statement. An official representative said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to requests for comment.

Broader Implications

Reports suggest that hundreds of African nationals are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment.

Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals among them a public figure recently faced a judge on charges relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Meanwhile, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to take a child … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”