‘Pure Malevolence’: Heartbreak and Anger as Citizens Allegedly Tricked into Battling for Russia

A mother has not heard from her son since late August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being sent to the battle lines of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with anxiety.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.”

Her son was part of a group of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into fighting for Russia. The purported operation is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Startling Allegation

Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to surface recently after the South African government said it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in the war zone. Subsequently, in a dramatic development, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men.

This claim sent shock waves through South Africa, where the broader situation has highlighted the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Statistics show a substantial percentage of young adults are unemployed and not studying.

These individuals are thought to remain caught in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their relatives far from home fear for their lives.

The Initial Contact

The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to the accused through a relative years ago. She stated that contact was made in June with what was described as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country.

Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be trained as security personnel for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could enrol on a personal development programme, after which they could attend a Russian university and even obtain foreign nationality.

Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’”

Political Connections

Zuma-Sambudla, is known as a fierce defender of her parent, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Moscow date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in advocating for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers.

The accused has also frequently declared her support of Russia. Online, she has made statements aligning herself with the government in Moscow.

Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

From Airport to Battlefield

The men reportedly met at a major international airport in the summer before flying to Moscow. Messages from online forums 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 have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.”

Towards the month's end, the young man 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 war since its outset.

Official Actions and Family Despair

In early November, the national leadership confirmed 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 the two political figures adds a layer of complication to the case. At first, the group numbered twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to return home.

A subsequent conversation between the accused and relatives of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Soon thereafter, the police report was lodged by another family member, accusing her sibling and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force.

In response, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement asserting she had been misled by an associate into believing it was a legitimate training course. “I would not 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 a statement. An official representative said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to inquiries.

Broader Implications

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.

In a separate case, five more individuals among them a public figure recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia.

Meanwhile, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “For someone to exploit a young person … I think that is sheer wickedness,” she said. “Promises were made that they would not see combat and she lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”