🔗 Share this article ‘Pure Malevolence’: Anguish and Fury as South Africans Reportedly Deceived into Battling for Russian Forces One parent has not heard from her son since late August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the war between Russia and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with worry. “My health is truly suffering,” she stated, fatigue 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’s not easy for me.” Her son was part of a group of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were tricked into fighting for Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is connected with a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to emerge recently following the national authorities announced it was trying to help citizens trapped in Ukraine. Then, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men. The accusation sent shock waves through South Africa, where the wider scandal has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of young adults are unemployed and not studying. The men are believed to be caught in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their families thousands of miles away fear for their lives. A Fateful Introduction Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to the accused through a relative years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was described as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country. A portion of the group were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become security personnel for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could enrol on a self-improvement course, after which they could study abroad and even secure foreign nationality. Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the program and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’” A Complex Backdrop The accused, is known as a vocal supporter of her parent, who retains significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Moscow date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in pushing for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers. She has also frequently declared her support of Russia. On social media, she has made statements showing solidarity to the government in Moscow. In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of serious offenses related to online posts during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The group allegedly gathered at a major international airport in early July before traveling 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 recruiters, stating they were separated. One message clearly read: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” In late August, 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 linked to another member of the group seems to be a contract with a designated force that has been active in the hostilities since its beginning. 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 recruiting for external armed forces without state authorization is against the law. The political rift between current and former leaders adds a layer of complication to the situation. Initially, the group included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to come back. A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men allegedly provided no answers. Shortly after, the formal allegation was filed by another family member, claiming her half-sister and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. Reacting to this, the accused filed her own affidavit asserting she had been misled by an associate into believing it was a legitimate program. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position. The other named recruiters were unavailable for a statement. An official representative said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to requests for comment. A Wider Pattern Reports suggest that a significant number of African nationals are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment. In a separate case, five more individuals including a media personality recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “For someone to exploit a young person … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”
One parent has not heard from her son since late August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the war between Russia and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with worry. “My health is truly suffering,” she stated, fatigue 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’s not easy for me.” Her son was part of a group of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were tricked into fighting for Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is connected with a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to emerge recently following the national authorities announced it was trying to help citizens trapped in Ukraine. Then, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited the men. The accusation sent shock waves through South Africa, where the wider scandal has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of young adults are unemployed and not studying. The men are believed to be caught in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their families thousands of miles away fear for their lives. A Fateful Introduction Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to the accused through a relative years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was described as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country. A portion of the group were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become security personnel for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could enrol on a self-improvement course, after which they could study abroad and even secure foreign nationality. Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the program and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’” A Complex Backdrop The accused, is known as a vocal supporter of her parent, who retains significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Moscow date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in pushing for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers. She has also frequently declared her support of Russia. On social media, she has made statements showing solidarity to the government in Moscow. In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of serious offenses related to online posts during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The group allegedly gathered at a major international airport in early July before traveling 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 recruiters, stating they were separated. One message clearly read: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” In late August, 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 linked to another member of the group seems to be a contract with a designated force that has been active in the hostilities since its beginning. 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 recruiting for external armed forces without state authorization is against the law. The political rift between current and former leaders adds a layer of complication to the situation. Initially, the group included twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to come back. A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men allegedly provided no answers. Shortly after, the formal allegation was filed by another family member, claiming her half-sister and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. Reacting to this, the accused filed her own affidavit asserting she had been misled by an associate into believing it was a legitimate program. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position. The other named recruiters were unavailable for a statement. An official representative said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to requests for comment. A Wider Pattern Reports suggest that a significant number of African nationals are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment. In a separate case, five more individuals including a media personality recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “For someone to exploit a young person … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”