‘Pure Malevolence’: Anguish and Anger as Citizens Reportedly Tricked into Battling for Russia

A mother has had no contact with her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, 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 anxiety.

“My health is truly suffering,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.”

Her son was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is connected with a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about the individual's involvement began to emerge last month following the national authorities said it was trying to help nationals trapped in the war zone. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint alleging that several individuals had misled the men.

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

These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a war they never agreed to join, while their families thousands of miles away fear for their lives.

A Fateful Introduction

Mary, whose name has been changed, 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.

Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be trained as bodyguards for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could join a personal development programme, upon completion they could study abroad and even obtain foreign nationality.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’”

Political Connections

The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Russia date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in pushing for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers.

The accused has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. Online, she has made statements showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow.

In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during past unrest. She denies those charges.

The Journey to War

The group allegedly gathered at a travel hub in early July before traveling 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 began questioning from their contacts, stating they were being split up. 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. An agreement linked to another member of the group appears to be a contract with a designated force that has been involved in the war since its outset.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

Recently, the office of the South African president said it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government emphasized that recruiting for external armed forces without state authorization is against the law.

A deep rivalry between current and former leaders introduces an element of complication to the case. At first, the group numbered twenty individuals, but three were allowed to return home.

A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another relative, claiming her sibling and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit asserting she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a legitimate 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 could not be reached for comment. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to requests for comment.

A Wider Pattern

Reports suggest that a significant number 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 faced a judge on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … I think that is sheer wickedness,” she said. “Promises were made that they weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”