‘Pure Malevolence’: Heartbreak and Anger as Citizens Reportedly Deceived into Battling for Russia

A mother has not heard from her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the battle lines 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 stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.”

The young man was part of a group of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to legal filings, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russia. The purported operation is connected with a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Allegations about the individual's role began to emerge last month after the South African government said it was trying to help citizens stranded in the war zone. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint claiming that several individuals had misled the men.

This claim rippled through the nation, where the broader situation has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Statistics show a large portion of young adults are unemployed and not studying.

The men are believed to be trapped in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their relatives far from home fear for their lives.

The Initial Contact

Mary, 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 an offer was presented in June with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in Russia.

A portion of the group were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become security personnel for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could enrol on a personal development programme, upon completion they could study abroad and even obtain Russian citizenship.

Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’”

Political Connections

The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her father, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Moscow date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in advocating for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers.

The accused has also publicly expressed her backing for Russia. Online, she has shared posts aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow.

In another matter, she is currently on trial on charges of serious offenses related to social media activity during previous riots. She denies those charges.

From Airport to Battlefield

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

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

Towards the month's end, the son called his mother to say he was being forced to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. An agreement linked to another member of the group seems to be a contract with a designated force that has been involved in the hostilities since its outset.

Official Actions and Family Despair

In early November, the national leadership confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government emphasized that recruiting for external armed forces without official permission is illegal.

A deep rivalry between current and former leaders adds a layer of complexity to the case. At first, the contingent included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to return home.

A mid-November call between the accused and relatives of the men allegedly provided no answers. Soon thereafter, the police report was filed by another relative, accusing her sibling and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement asserting she had been misled by an associate into believing it was a proper program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position.

The other named recruiters were unavailable for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to inquiries.

A Wider Pattern

Authorities have indicated that hundreds of African nationals are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about these activities.

In a separate case, several other South Africans including a media personality 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 exploit a young person … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”