‘Pure Malevolence’: Heartbreak and Anger as Citizens Allegedly Deceived into Battling for Russian Forces

A mother has had no contact with her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the war between the Russian Federation and its neighbor. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with worry.

“My health is truly suffering,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.”

Her son was among a contingent of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in legal filings, were tricked into fighting for Russia. The purported operation is linked to a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface recently after the South African government said it was attempting to assist nationals stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men.

The accusation rippled through South Africa, where the wider scandal 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 caught in a war they never agreed to join, while their relatives thousands of miles away dread 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 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 bodyguards for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could enrol on a personal development programme, upon completion they could study abroad and even obtain Russian citizenship.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for contracts 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, is known as a vocal supporter of her father, who holds significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Russia date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in pushing for stronger alliances with countries often at odds with Western powers.

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

Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of serious offenses related to online posts during previous riots. She denies those charges.

The Journey to War

The men allegedly gathered at a travel hub in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Communication records from online forums from July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease.

In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were separated. A communication explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”

In late August, the son contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. 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.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

Recently, the office of the South African president said it had been contacted by the men and was working to bring them home. The government emphasized that assisting external armed forces without state authorization is against the law.

The political rift between the two political figures adds a layer of complexity to the situation. Initially, the group 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 police report was filed by another relative, accusing her half-sister and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

In response, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement claiming she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate training course. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts 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. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment.

Broader Implications

Authorities have indicated that hundreds of citizens from African countries are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment.

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

Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to take a child … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”