‘Pure Malevolence’: Heartbreak and Fury as Citizens Reportedly Tricked into Battling 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 battle lines of the war between Russia and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with worry.

“My health is truly suffering,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.”

Her son was part of a group of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were tricked into serving with Russian military forces. The purported operation is linked to a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about the individual's involvement began to surface last month following the South African government said it was attempting to assist nationals stranded in the war zone. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men.

This claim sent shock waves through the nation, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of young adults are not in work or education.

These individuals are believed to be trapped in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their families thousands of miles away fear for their lives.

The Initial Contact

The mother, 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 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 trained as bodyguards for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could join a self-improvement course, upon completion they could study abroad and even secure foreign nationality.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the school and it was just so rushed,” she said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’”

A Complex Backdrop

The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who holds significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Russia date back decades. The former president has been a leading figure in advocating for stronger alliances with nations often at in conflict with Western powers.

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

Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

From Airport to Battlefield

The group allegedly gathered at a travel hub in early July before flying to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups dated July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease.

In the following weeks, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, stating they were being split up. One message explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”

In late August, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. 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 war since its beginning.

Official Actions and Family Despair

Recently, the national leadership said it had received distress calls the men and was working to secure their return. The government emphasized that recruiting for external armed forces without official permission is illegal.

A deep rivalry between current and former leaders adds a layer of complexity to the situation. At first, the contingent included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to return home.

A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another relative, accusing her sibling and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

In response, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement claiming she had been misled by an associate into believing it was a proper program. “Under no circumstances would I 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 new information on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to requests for comment.

A Wider Pattern

Authorities have indicated that a significant number of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment.

In a separate case, several other South Africans including a media personality recently faced a judge on charges relating to involvement for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “For someone to take a child … I think that is sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”