‘Pure Malevolence’: Anguish and Fury as Citizens Reportedly Deceived into Fighting for Russian Forces

One parent has not heard from her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the war between Russia and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with worry.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It’s not easy for me.”

The young man was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to legal filings, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russia. The alleged scheme is connected with a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to surface last month after the national authorities announced it was trying to help nationals stranded in Ukraine. Then, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men.

This claim rippled through South Africa, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of under-35s are not in work or education.

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

The Initial Contact

Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla through a relative 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 lucrative prospect in the foreign country.

Some of the men were allegedly told they would be trained as security personnel for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could join a personal development programme, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even secure foreign nationality.

Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the program and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’”

Political Connections

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

She has also publicly expressed her backing for Russia. On social media, she has made statements aligning herself with the government in Moscow.

In another matter, she is currently on trial on accusations of serious offenses related to social media activity during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

The Journey to War

The group reportedly met at a travel hub in early July before traveling to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August reportedly show the group's concerns.

In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. One message explicitly stated: “We are with a military group, 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 Russian. A document associated with another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been active in the hostilities since its outset.

Official Actions and Family Despair

In early November, the national leadership confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government noted that assisting external armed forces without state authorization is against the law.

A deep rivalry between the two political figures adds a layer of complication to the case. At first, the group numbered twenty individuals, but three were allowed to return home.

A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Shortly after, the formal allegation was filed by another family member, claiming her half-sister and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

In response, the accused filed her own affidavit asserting she had been deceived 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.

The other named recruiters were unavailable for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment.

A Wider Pattern

Authorities have indicated that hundreds of citizens from African countries are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about these activities.

In a separate case, five more individuals including a media personality recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could take a child … I think that is sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”