‘Pure Malevolence’: Heartbreak and Fury as Citizens Allegedly Deceived into Battling for Russia

A mother has had no contact with her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been physically unwell with worry.

“My health is truly suffering,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It’s not easy for me.”

The young man was among a contingent of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russian military forces. The purported operation 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 after the South African government said it was attempting to assist citizens trapped in the war zone. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men.

The accusation rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Statistics show a large portion of young adults are not in work or education.

The men are believed to be caught in a war they never agreed to join, while their families thousands of miles away dread for their lives.

The Initial Contact

Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with the accused through a relative years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was described as an lucrative prospect in Russia.

Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could enrol on a self-improvement course, after which 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 just so rushed,” she said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’”

A Complex Backdrop

The accused, is known as a vocal supporter of her parent, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Moscow date back many years. 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 publicly expressed her support of Russia. On social media, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the government in Moscow.

In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

The Journey to War

The men allegedly gathered at a major international airport in early July before traveling to Moscow. Messages from online forums dated July and August reportedly show the group's concerns.

By mid-August, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were separated. One message clearly read: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the son contacted his parent to say he was being forced 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 specific military unit that has been active in the war since its beginning.

Official Actions and Family Despair

In early November, the office of the South African president said it had received distress calls the men and was working to secure their return. The government noted 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 contingent numbered twenty individuals, but three were allowed to return home.

A mid-November call between the accused and relatives of the men allegedly provided no answers. Shortly after, the formal allegation was lodged by another family member, accusing 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 filed her own affidavit asserting she had been misled by an associate into believing it was a proper training course. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role.

Other individuals could not be reached for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to inquiries.

A Wider Pattern

Reports suggest that a significant number of African nationals are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment.

Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently appeared in court on charges relating to involvement for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “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 lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”