‘Pure Malevolence’: Heartbreak and Fury as Citizens Allegedly Tricked into Battling for Russia

One parent has had no contact with her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, 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.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It’s not easy for me.”

Her son was among a contingent of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in legal filings, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russia. The alleged scheme is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about the individual's role began to surface last month following the South African government announced it was trying to help nationals stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men.

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

These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a war they did not sign up for, while their relatives thousands of miles away fear for their lives.

The Initial Contact

The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection 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 allegedly told they would be trained as security personnel for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could enrol on a personal development programme, after which they could study abroad and even secure foreign nationality.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’”

A Complex Backdrop

Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a vocal supporter of her father, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Russia date back decades. The former president has been a leading figure in advocating for stronger alliances with nations often at in conflict 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.

Separately, she is facing legal proceedings 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 men allegedly gathered at a travel hub in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups from July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns.

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

Towards the month's end, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being forced to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. A document associated with another member of the group appears to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been involved in the war since its beginning.

Official Actions and Family Despair

In early November, the office of the South African president confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government noted that recruiting for foreign militaries without state authorization is against the law.

The political rift between the two political figures adds a layer of complication to the situation. Initially, the contingent included 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to come back.

A subsequent conversation between the accused and families of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was filed by another family member, accusing her sibling and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

In response, the accused filed her own affidavit asserting she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role.

The other named recruiters were unavailable for comment. An official representative said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to requests for comment.

Broader Implications

Authorities have indicated that hundreds of African nationals are fighting alongside Moscow's military 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 appeared in court on similar allegations relating to involvement 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. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”