🔗 Share this article ‘Pure Malevolence’: Anguish and Anger as South Africans Reportedly Tricked into Fighting for Russian Forces A mother has not heard from her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being sent to the frontlines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with worry. “I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.” Her son was among a contingent of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russian military forces. The purported operation is linked to a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Claims about the individual's involvement began to emerge last month following the national authorities said it was trying to help nationals trapped in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint claiming that several individuals had misled the men. This claim sent shock waves through South Africa, where the wider scandal has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Statistics show a substantial percentage of young adults are unemployed and not studying. The men are thought to remain trapped in a war they did not sign up for, while their relatives far from home dread for their lives. The Initial Contact Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with the accused through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country. Some of the men were allegedly told they would be instructed to become security personnel for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could enrol on a personal development programme, after which they could attend a Russian university and even secure foreign nationality. Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the school and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’” Political Connections Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who holds significant sway nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Moscow date back many years. The former president has been a leading figure in advocating for closer relationships with nations often at in conflict with Western powers. The accused has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. On social media, she has made statements showing solidarity to the government in Moscow. In another matter, she is currently on trial on charges of serious offenses related to social media activity during previous riots. She denies those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The group reportedly met at a travel hub in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups from July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns. In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were being split up. One message explicitly stated: “We are 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 appears to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been involved in the war since its beginning. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish Recently, the office of the South African president said it had been contacted by the men and was working to secure their return. The government emphasized that recruiting for external armed forces without state authorization is illegal. The political rift between current and former leaders adds a layer of complexity to the situation. At first, the group numbered 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to come back. A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was filed 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 deceived by an associate into believing it was a proper program. “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. The other named recruiters were unavailable for comment. An official representative said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to inquiries. Broader Implications Authorities have indicated that a significant number of citizens from African countries are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about these activities. Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals including a media personality recently faced a judge on charges relating to involvement for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … That constitutes 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?”
A mother has not heard from her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being sent to the frontlines of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with worry. “I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.” Her son was among a contingent of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russian military forces. The purported operation is linked to a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Claims about the individual's involvement began to emerge last month following the national authorities said it was trying to help nationals trapped in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint claiming that several individuals had misled the men. This claim sent shock waves through South Africa, where the wider scandal has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Statistics show a substantial percentage of young adults are unemployed and not studying. The men are thought to remain trapped in a war they did not sign up for, while their relatives far from home dread for their lives. The Initial Contact Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with the accused through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country. Some of the men were allegedly told they would be instructed to become security personnel for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could enrol on a personal development programme, after which they could attend a Russian university and even secure foreign nationality. Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the school and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’” Political Connections Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who holds significant sway nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Moscow date back many years. The former president has been a leading figure in advocating for closer relationships with nations often at in conflict with Western powers. The accused has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. On social media, she has made statements showing solidarity to the government in Moscow. In another matter, she is currently on trial on charges of serious offenses related to social media activity during previous riots. She denies those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The group reportedly met at a travel hub in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups from July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns. In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were being split up. One message explicitly stated: “We are 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 appears to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been involved in the war since its beginning. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish Recently, the office of the South African president said it had been contacted by the men and was working to secure their return. The government emphasized that recruiting for external armed forces without state authorization is illegal. The political rift between current and former leaders adds a layer of complexity to the situation. At first, the group numbered 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to come back. A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was filed 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 deceived by an associate into believing it was a proper program. “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. The other named recruiters were unavailable for comment. An official representative said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to inquiries. Broader Implications Authorities have indicated that a significant number of citizens from African countries are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about these activities. Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals including a media personality recently faced a judge on charges relating to involvement for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … That constitutes 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?”