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

A mother has had no contact with her son since late August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being sent 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 said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.”

Her son was part of a group of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into fighting for Russia. The alleged scheme is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Claims about the individual's involvement began to emerge last month after the South African government said it was trying to help citizens trapped in Ukraine. Then, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint claiming that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men.

This claim sent shock waves through South Africa, where the broader situation has shone a light on the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of under-35s are unemployed and not studying.

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

A Fateful Introduction

The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla 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 allegedly told they would be instructed to become security personnel for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could join a personal development programme, upon completion they could study abroad and even obtain foreign nationality.

Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’”

A Complex Backdrop

The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Moscow date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in advocating for stronger alliances with nations 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 leadership in Moscow.

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

From Airport to Battlefield

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

By mid-August, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were being split up. A communication clearly read: “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 forced to sign a contract in Russian. An agreement 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.

Official Actions and Family Despair

In early November, the national leadership confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was working to bring them home. The government emphasized that recruiting for external armed forces without state authorization is illegal.

The political rift between current and former leaders adds a layer of complication to the situation. At first, the group numbered 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to come back.

A subsequent conversation between the accused and families of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was filed by another family member, claiming her half-sister and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit asserting she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a proper program. “I would not knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role.

Other individuals were unavailable for comment. An official representative said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to inquiries.

A Wider Pattern

Authorities have indicated that a significant number of African nationals are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about these activities.

Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans including a media personality recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could take a child … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”