‘Pure Malevolence’: Anguish and Anger as Citizens Allegedly Deceived into Fighting for Russian Forces

One parent has not heard from her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.

“My health is truly suffering,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It is an immense struggle.”

Her son was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russia. The purported operation is connected with a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Allegations about the individual's role began to surface recently following the national authorities announced it was trying to help citizens stranded in the war zone. Then, in a dramatic development, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men.

The accusation sent shock waves through the nation, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of under-35s are not in work or education.

These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their relatives thousands of miles away dread for their lives.

The Initial Contact

The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was described as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country.

Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become security personnel for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could enrol on a personal development programme, after which they could attend a Russian university and even obtain foreign nationality.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’”

A Complex Backdrop

The accused, has long been a vocal supporter of her parent, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Moscow date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in pushing for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers.

She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. Online, she has made statements aligning herself with the government in Moscow.

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

The Journey to War

The men reportedly met at a travel hub in the summer before flying to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns.

By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were separated. A communication explicitly stated: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

In late August, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being forced to agree to terms in Russian. A document associated with another member of the group seems to be a contract with a designated force that has been involved in the war since its beginning.

Official Actions and Family Despair

In early November, the national leadership said it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government noted that assisting foreign militaries without state authorization is against the law.

A deep rivalry between current and former leaders introduces an element of complication to the situation. At first, the group included twenty individuals, but three were allowed to come back.

A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Soon thereafter, the police report was filed by another family member, accusing her sibling and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

Reacting to this, the accused submitted a statement asserting 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 political position.

Other individuals could not be reached for comment. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to requests for comment.

Broader Implications

Reports suggest that a significant number of African nationals are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment.

Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently faced a judge 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. “To think that someone could take a child … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they weren’t going to war and she lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”