‘Pure Malevolence’: Anguish and Anger as Citizens Allegedly 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 voiced concern that he was being sent to the frontlines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with anxiety.

“My health is truly suffering,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.”

Her son was part of a group of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into fighting for Russia. The purported operation is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about the individual's role began to surface recently following the South African government said it was trying to help nationals trapped in Ukraine. Then, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report claiming that several individuals had misled the men.

This claim rippled through South Africa, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a large portion of under-35s are not in work or education.

These individuals are thought to remain caught in a war they did not sign up for, while their relatives thousands of miles away dread 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 contact was made in June with what was described as an exciting opportunity in Russia.

A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could join a personal development programme, after which they could attend a Russian university and even secure Russian citizenship.

Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the school and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’”

A Complex Backdrop

Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a vocal supporter of her parent, who holds considerable political influence 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 nations often at in conflict with Western powers.

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

In another matter, 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 group reportedly met at a major international airport in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups from July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns.

In the following weeks, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, stating they were separated. One message clearly read: “We have been placed with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

In late August, the young man called his mother to say he was being forced to sign a contract in Russian. An agreement associated with another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been involved in the war since its outset.

Official Actions and Family Despair

Recently, the national leadership confirmed it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government noted that recruiting for foreign militaries without state authorization is illegal.

A deep rivalry between current and former leaders introduces an element of complexity to the situation. Initially, the contingent included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to return home.

A subsequent conversation between the accused and relatives of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Shortly after, the formal allegation was lodged by another relative, claiming her half-sister and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement asserting she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a proper training course. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position.

Other individuals were unavailable for a statement. An official representative said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to inquiries.

Broader Implications

Reports suggest that hundreds of citizens from African countries are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about these activities.

Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans including a media personality recently appeared in court on charges relating to involvement for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to exploit a young person … I think that is sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”