‘Pure Malevolence’: Anguish and Anger as Citizens Reportedly Tricked into Battling for Russian Forces

A mother has not heard from her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.”

Her son was part of a group of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to legal filings, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russian military forces. The purported operation is connected with a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to surface last month after the national authorities said it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, 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 broader situation has highlighted the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Statistics show a large portion of under-35s are not in work or education.

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

The Initial Contact

Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with the accused 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 Russia.

Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could join a self-improvement course, after which they could study abroad and even obtain foreign nationality.

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

Political Connections

The accused, is known as a fierce defender of her father, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Moscow date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in pushing for closer relationships with countries often at odds with Western powers.

She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. On social media, 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 previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

From Airport to Battlefield

The group allegedly gathered at a major international airport in early July before flying to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups dated July and August reportedly show the group's concerns.

By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were separated. One message explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

In late August, the son called his mother to say he was being forced to sign a contract in Russian. 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 war since its beginning.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

In early November, the office of the South African president said it had been contacted by the men and was working to secure their return. The government emphasized that assisting external armed forces without state authorization is against the law.

The political rift between current and former leaders adds a layer of complexity to the situation. At first, the contingent numbered twenty individuals, but three were allowed to come back.

A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Shortly after, the formal allegation was lodged by another relative, accusing her sibling and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement claiming she had been misled by an associate into believing it was a proper program. “I would not knowingly expose anyone 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. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to inquiries.

Broader Implications

Reports suggest that hundreds of African nationals are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment.

In a separate case, five more individuals among them a public figure recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “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 lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”