‘Pure Malevolence’: Anguish and Fury as South Africans Reportedly Tricked into Battling for Russia

A mother has had no contact with 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 war between Russia and its neighbor. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with worry.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.”

Her son was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in 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 Political Bombshell

Allegations about the individual's involvement began to surface recently following the national authorities said it was attempting to assist nationals stranded in the war zone. Then, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint alleging that several individuals had misled the men.

The accusation rippled through the nation, where the broader situation has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of young adults are unemployed and not studying.

The men are believed to be caught in a war they never agreed to join, while their relatives thousands of miles away fear for their lives.

The Initial Contact

Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to the accused via a family connection when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented 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 instructed to become bodyguards for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could join a self-improvement course, after which 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,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’”

Political Connections

The accused, has long been a vocal supporter of her parent, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Russia date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in pushing for closer relationships with countries often at in conflict with Western powers.

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

Separately, she is currently on trial on charges of serious offenses related to social media activity during past unrest. She denies those charges.

From Airport to Battlefield

The men reportedly met at a travel hub in early July before flying to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease.

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

In late August, the son contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in Russian. An agreement associated with another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been active in the war since its outset.

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 attempting to bring them home. The government emphasized that recruiting for external armed forces without official permission is against the law.

A deep rivalry between the two political figures introduces an element of complexity to the case. At first, the group included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to return home.

A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Shortly after, the police report was filed by another relative, claiming her half-sister and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement claiming she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her elected role.

Other individuals could not be reached for comment. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to inquiries.

A Wider Pattern

Authorities have indicated that hundreds of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment.

Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals among them a public figure recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Meanwhile, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to exploit a young person … That constitutes sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”