‘Pure Malevolence’: Anguish and Anger as Citizens Reportedly Tricked into Fighting for Russian Forces

One parent has not heard from her son since late August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being sent to the frontlines of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.

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

The young man was among a contingent of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in legal filings, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russia. The alleged scheme is linked to a family member of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface last month following the national authorities announced it was trying to help citizens trapped in Ukraine. Then, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men.

This claim rippled through South Africa, where the broader situation has highlighted the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Statistics show a large portion of young adults are unemployed and not studying.

The men are thought to remain trapped in a conflict they did not sign up for, 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 the accused through a relative years ago. She stated that contact was made in the middle of the year with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country.

A portion of the group were reportedly promised they would be trained as bodyguards for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could join a self-improvement course, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even obtain Russian citizenship.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the program 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 father, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Russia date back many years. The former president has been at the forefront in pushing for closer relationships with countries often at odds with Western powers.

The accused has also publicly expressed her backing for Russia. On social media, she has made statements showing solidarity to the government in Moscow.

In another matter, she is currently on trial on accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to social media activity during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

The Journey to War

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

In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were separated. One message clearly read: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

In late August, the son called his mother to say he was being pressured to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. An agreement linked to another member of the group appears to be a contract with a designated force that has been active in the hostilities since its outset.

Official Actions and Family Despair

In early November, the national leadership said it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government emphasized that assisting foreign militaries without state authorization is illegal.

A deep rivalry between current and former leaders introduces an element of complexity to the situation. At first, the contingent included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to come back.

A mid-November call between the accused and families of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Shortly after, the formal allegation was lodged by another family member, claiming her sibling and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

Reacting to this, the accused submitted a statement asserting she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate training course. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her elected role.

Other individuals were unavailable 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

Authorities have indicated that hundreds of citizens from African countries are serving with Russian forces 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 appeared in court on charges 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 take a child … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they would not see combat and she lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”