🔗 Share this article ‘Pure Malevolence’: Anguish and Anger as South Africans Reportedly Deceived into Fighting for Russian Forces One parent 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 ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with worry. “I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.” The young man was part of a group of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into fighting for Russia. The alleged scheme is connected with a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to surface last month following the national authorities announced it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited 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. Statistics show a substantial percentage of young adults are not in work or education. The men are thought to remain trapped in a war they did not sign up for, while their families thousands of miles away dread for their lives. A Fateful Introduction The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to the accused through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that contact was made in the middle of the year with what was described as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country. Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be trained as security personnel for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could enrol on a personal development programme, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even obtain Russian citizenship. Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’” Political Connections Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Russia date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in pushing for stronger alliances with countries often at in conflict with Western powers. She has also publicly expressed her backing for Russia. On social media, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow. Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of serious offenses related to social media activity during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The men allegedly gathered at a travel hub in early July before flying to Moscow. Communication records from online forums from 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 are with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.” Towards the month's end, the young man called his mother to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. A document associated with another member of the group appears to be a contract with a designated force that has been active in the hostilities since its beginning. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish Recently, the national leadership said it had received distress calls the men and was attempting 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 introduces an element of complexity to the case. At first, the contingent included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to come back. A mid-November call between the accused 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 luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement asserting she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a legitimate training course. “I would not knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in parts 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 update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to inquiries. A Wider Pattern Authorities have indicated that a significant number of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about these activities. Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia. Meanwhile, Mary continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could take a child … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”
One parent 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 ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with worry. “I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.” The young man was part of a group of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into fighting for Russia. The alleged scheme is connected with a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to surface last month following the national authorities announced it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited 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. Statistics show a substantial percentage of young adults are not in work or education. The men are thought to remain trapped in a war they did not sign up for, while their families thousands of miles away dread for their lives. A Fateful Introduction The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to the accused through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that contact was made in the middle of the year with what was described as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country. Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be trained as security personnel for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could enrol on a personal development programme, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even obtain Russian citizenship. Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’” Political Connections Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Russia date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in pushing for stronger alliances with countries often at in conflict with Western powers. She has also publicly expressed her backing for Russia. On social media, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow. Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of serious offenses related to social media activity during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The men allegedly gathered at a travel hub in early July before flying to Moscow. Communication records from online forums from 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 are with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.” Towards the month's end, the young man called his mother to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. A document associated with another member of the group appears to be a contract with a designated force that has been active in the hostilities since its beginning. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish Recently, the national leadership said it had received distress calls the men and was attempting 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 introduces an element of complexity to the case. At first, the contingent included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to come back. A mid-November call between the accused 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 luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement asserting she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a legitimate training course. “I would not knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in parts 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 update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to inquiries. A Wider Pattern Authorities have indicated that a significant number of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about these activities. Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia. Meanwhile, Mary continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could take a child … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “Promises were made that they weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”