🔗 Share this article ‘Pure Malevolence’: Heartbreak and Anger as South Africans Allegedly Tricked into Fighting for Russia A mother has had no contact with her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being sent to the frontlines 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 said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, 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 seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were tricked into fighting for Russia. The alleged scheme is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Allegations about the individual's role began to emerge recently after the national authorities said it was trying to help citizens stranded in the war zone. Then, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, filed a police report alleging that several individuals had misled the men. The accusation rippled through South Africa, where the wider scandal has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of under-35s are unemployed and not studying. These individuals are believed to be trapped in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their relatives far from home dread for their lives. The Initial Contact The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection when her son was still a child. She stated that contact was made in June with what was described as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country. Some of the men were allegedly told they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could enrol on a personal development programme, after which they could study abroad and even obtain Russian citizenship. Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’” A Complex Backdrop Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a vocal supporter of her parent, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Moscow date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in advocating for stronger alliances with countries often at in conflict with Western powers. She has also frequently declared her backing for 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 social media activity during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. The Journey to War The group reportedly met at a major international airport in early July before traveling to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease. In the following weeks, the men started demanding answers 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 contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in Russian. An agreement associated with another member of the group seems to be a contract with a designated force that has been active in the war since its beginning. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish In early November, the office of the South African president confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government emphasized that assisting foreign militaries without state authorization is against the law. The political rift between current and former leaders adds a layer of complexity to the case. Initially, the contingent included twenty individuals, but three were allowed to come back. A subsequent conversation between the accused and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another relative, accusing her sibling and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit 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 political position. Other individuals could not be reached for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to inquiries. Broader Implications Reports suggest that hundreds of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about these activities. In a separate case, several other South Africans including a media personality recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to take a child … I think that is 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 had no contact with her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being sent to the frontlines 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 said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, 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 seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were tricked into fighting for Russia. The alleged scheme is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Allegations about the individual's role began to emerge recently after the national authorities said it was trying to help citizens stranded in the war zone. Then, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, filed a police report alleging that several individuals had misled the men. The accusation rippled through South Africa, where the wider scandal has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of under-35s are unemployed and not studying. These individuals are believed to be trapped in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their relatives far from home dread for their lives. The Initial Contact The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection when her son was still a child. She stated that contact was made in June with what was described as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country. Some of the men were allegedly told they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could enrol on a personal development programme, after which they could study abroad and even obtain Russian citizenship. Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’” A Complex Backdrop Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a vocal supporter of her parent, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Moscow date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in advocating for stronger alliances with countries often at in conflict with Western powers. She has also frequently declared her backing for 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 social media activity during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. The Journey to War The group reportedly met at a major international airport in early July before traveling to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August apparently indicate the men's growing unease. In the following weeks, the men started demanding answers 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 contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in Russian. An agreement associated with another member of the group seems to be a contract with a designated force that has been active in the war since its beginning. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish In early November, the office of the South African president confirmed it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government emphasized that assisting foreign militaries without state authorization is against the law. The political rift between current and former leaders adds a layer of complexity to the case. Initially, the contingent included twenty individuals, but three were allowed to come back. A subsequent conversation between the accused and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another relative, accusing her sibling and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit 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 political position. Other individuals could not be reached for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to inquiries. Broader Implications Reports suggest that hundreds of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about these activities. In a separate case, several other South Africans including a media personality recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to take a child … I think that is 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?”