🔗 Share this article ‘Pure Malevolence’: Heartbreak and Fury as South Africans Reportedly Deceived into Fighting for Russian Forces One parent has not heard from 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 the Russian Federation and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with anxiety. “My health is truly suffering,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.” The young man was part of a group of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were tricked into serving with Russian military forces. The purported operation is connected with a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Allegations about the individual's involvement began to emerge last month following the national authorities said it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in Ukraine. Then, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, filed a police report alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men. The accusation rippled through South Africa, where the broader situation has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Statistics show a substantial percentage of young adults are not in work or education. These individuals are believed to be caught in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their relatives thousands of miles away dread for their lives. A Fateful Introduction The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was presented as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country. A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be trained as security personnel for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could join a personal development programme, after which they could study abroad and even obtain foreign nationality. Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the school and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’” A Complex Backdrop The accused, is known as a vocal supporter of her parent, who holds significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Russia date back many years. The former president has been a leading figure in pushing for stronger alliances with nations often at in conflict with Western powers. The accused has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. Online, she has made statements showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow. Separately, she is currently on trial on accusations of serious offenses related to online posts during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. The Journey to War The group reportedly met at a travel hub in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups dated July and August reportedly show the group's concerns. In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were being split up. One message explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.” In late August, the son called his mother to say he was being forced to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. A document linked to another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been active in the war since its outset. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish Recently, the national leadership said it had received distress calls the men and was working to secure their return. The government noted that assisting foreign militaries without official permission 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 a few were permitted to come back. A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Shortly after, the formal allegation was lodged by another relative, accusing her sibling and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. Reacting to this, the accused submitted a statement claiming she had been misled 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 resigned from her elected role. Other individuals were unavailable for comment. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to requests for comment. A Wider Pattern Authorities have indicated that hundreds of African nationals are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about these activities. In a separate case, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia. Meanwhile, the mother continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “For someone to exploit a young person … That constitutes sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”
One parent has not heard from 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 the Russian Federation and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been physically unwell with anxiety. “My health is truly suffering,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.” The young man was part of a group of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were tricked into serving with Russian military forces. The purported operation is connected with a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Allegations about the individual's involvement began to emerge last month following the national authorities said it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in Ukraine. Then, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, filed a police report alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men. The accusation rippled through South Africa, where the broader situation has highlighted the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Statistics show a substantial percentage of young adults are not in work or education. These individuals are believed to be caught in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their relatives thousands of miles away dread for their lives. A Fateful Introduction The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was presented as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country. A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be trained as security personnel for a faction associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could join a personal development programme, after which they could study abroad and even obtain foreign nationality. Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for contracts for the school and it was just so rushed,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’” A Complex Backdrop The accused, is known as a vocal supporter of her parent, who holds significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Russia date back many years. The former president has been a leading figure in pushing for stronger alliances with nations often at in conflict with Western powers. The accused has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. Online, she has made statements showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow. Separately, she is currently on trial on accusations of serious offenses related to online posts during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. The Journey to War The group reportedly met at a travel hub in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups dated July and August reportedly show the group's concerns. In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were being split up. One message explicitly stated: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.” In late August, the son called his mother to say he was being forced to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. A document linked to another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been active in the war since its outset. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish Recently, the national leadership said it had received distress calls the men and was working to secure their return. The government noted that assisting foreign militaries without official permission 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 a few were permitted to come back. A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Shortly after, the formal allegation was lodged by another relative, accusing her sibling and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. Reacting to this, the accused submitted a statement claiming she had been misled 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 resigned from her elected role. Other individuals were unavailable for comment. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to requests for comment. A Wider Pattern Authorities have indicated that hundreds of African nationals are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about these activities. In a separate case, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia. Meanwhile, the mother continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “For someone to exploit a young person … That constitutes sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”