‘Pure Malevolence’: Anguish and Fury as Citizens Allegedly 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 frontlines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with anxiety.

“My health is truly suffering,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.”

The young man was among a contingent of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russian military forces. The purported operation is connected with a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to emerge last month following the South African government announced it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men.

The accusation rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. 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 families thousands of miles away dread for their lives.

The Initial Contact

Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla through a relative years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was presented 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 political party led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could join a personal development programme, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even secure Russian citizenship.

Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the program and it was just so rushed,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’”

Political Connections

The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Russia date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in advocating for closer relationships with nations often at in conflict with Western powers.

The accused has also frequently declared her support of Russia. Online, she has made statements aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow.

Separately, she is currently on trial on accusations of serious offenses related to social media activity during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

The Journey to War

The group reportedly met at a travel hub in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups from July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease.

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

In late August, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being forced to sign a contract in Russian. An agreement associated with another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been involved in the war since its beginning.

Official Actions and Family Despair

In early November, the national leadership said it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government noted that assisting external armed forces without official permission is against the law.

The political rift between current and former leaders introduces an element of complication to the situation. At first, the group numbered twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to come back.

A subsequent conversation between the accused and relatives of the men allegedly provided no answers. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was filed by another family member, claiming her sibling and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

In response, the accused submitted a statement asserting she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a proper program. “I would not knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position.

The other named recruiters 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 inquiries.

A Wider Pattern

Reports suggest that hundreds of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about these activities.

Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans including a media personality recently faced a judge on charges relating to involvement for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to take a child … I think that is 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?”