🔗 Share this article ‘Pure Malevolence’: Anguish and Fury as South Africans Reportedly Deceived into Battling for Russia One parent has had no contact with her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the war between Russia and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety. “I’m honestly really sick,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.” The young man was part of a group of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is connected with a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface recently after the South African government announced it was attempting to assist nationals trapped in Ukraine. Then, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men. The accusation sent shock waves through South Africa, where the wider scandal has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a large portion of young adults are unemployed and not studying. These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their families far from home dread for their lives. A Fateful Introduction The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was described as an exciting opportunity in Russia. A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be trained as bodyguards for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could enrol on a self-improvement course, after which they could attend a Russian university and even obtain foreign nationality. Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, 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 South African political structures and Moscow date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in advocating for stronger alliances with countries often at in conflict with Western powers. The accused has also publicly expressed her backing for Russia. On social media, she has shared posts aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow. Separately, she is currently on trial on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. The Journey to War The group allegedly gathered at a travel hub in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages from online forums dated July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns. By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were separated. A communication clearly read: “We are with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” In late August, the son contacted his parent to say he was being forced to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. A document associated with another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been active in the war since its beginning. Official Actions and Family Despair 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 foreign militaries without official permission is illegal. A deep rivalry between current and former leaders adds a layer of complication to the case. Initially, the contingent included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to come back. A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was lodged by another family member, claiming her sibling and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement claiming she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a proper training course. “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. The other named recruiters were unavailable for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to requests for comment. A Wider Pattern Authorities have indicated that a significant number of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment. In a separate case, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently faced a judge on charges relating to involvement for Russia. Meanwhile, Mary continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to take a child … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”
One parent has had no contact with her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the frontlines of the war between Russia and its neighbor. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety. “I’m honestly really sick,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.” The young man was part of a group of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were deceptively recruited for fighting for Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is connected with a daughter of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface recently after the South African government announced it was attempting to assist nationals trapped in Ukraine. Then, in a dramatic development, a different family member, filed a police report alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men. The accusation sent shock waves through South Africa, where the wider scandal has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a large portion of young adults are unemployed and not studying. These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their families far from home dread for their lives. A Fateful Introduction The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was described as an exciting opportunity in Russia. A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be trained as bodyguards for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. Others were given the impression they could enrol on a self-improvement course, after which they could attend a Russian university and even obtain foreign nationality. Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, 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 South African political structures and Moscow date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in advocating for stronger alliances with countries often at in conflict with Western powers. The accused has also publicly expressed her backing for Russia. On social media, she has shared posts aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow. Separately, she is currently on trial on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. The Journey to War The group allegedly gathered at a travel hub in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages from online forums dated July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns. By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were separated. A communication clearly read: “We are with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” In late August, the son contacted his parent to say he was being forced to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. A document associated with another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been active in the war since its beginning. Official Actions and Family Despair 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 foreign militaries without official permission is illegal. A deep rivalry between current and former leaders adds a layer of complication to the case. Initially, the contingent included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to come back. A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was lodged by another family member, claiming her sibling and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement claiming she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a proper training course. “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. The other named recruiters were unavailable for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to requests for comment. A Wider Pattern Authorities have indicated that a significant number of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about such recruitment. In a separate case, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently faced a judge on charges relating to involvement for Russia. Meanwhile, Mary continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “For someone to take a child … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they weren’t going to war and she lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”