🔗 Share this article ‘Pure Malevolence’: Anguish and Fury as Citizens Reportedly Deceived into Fighting for Russia One parent has not heard from her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the battle lines of the war between Russia and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety. “My health is truly suffering,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It is an immense struggle.” The young man was part of a group of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface last month following the national authorities announced it was trying to help nationals stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint alleging that several individuals had deceptively recruited 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 large portion of under-35s are not in work or education. The men are thought to remain caught in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their families thousands of miles away fear for their lives. The Initial Contact Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that contact was made in the middle of the year with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country. A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could join a self-improvement course, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even secure foreign nationality. Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the program and it was just so rushed,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’” Political Connections Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a fierce defender of her father, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Moscow date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in pushing 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. Separately, she is currently on trial on accusations of serious offenses related to online posts during past unrest. She denies those charges. The Journey to War The group allegedly gathered at a major international airport in early July before flying to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups dated July and August reportedly show the group's concerns. By mid-August, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were separated. A communication explicitly stated: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.” In late August, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. An agreement linked to another member of the group appears to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been active in the hostilities since its beginning. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish In early November, the office of the South African president said it had been contacted by the men and was working to secure their return. The government noted that recruiting for external armed forces without state authorization is illegal. A deep rivalry between the two political figures adds a layer of complexity 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 families of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another relative, claiming her half-sister and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force. In response, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit claiming she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a proper program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role. The other named recruiters could not be reached for comment. An official representative said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to requests for comment. A Wider Pattern Authorities have indicated 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 among them a public figure recently faced a judge on charges relating to involvement for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “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 lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”
One parent has not heard from her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the battle lines of the war between Russia and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety. “My health is truly suffering,” she stated, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Constant headaches and dizziness. It is an immense struggle.” The young man was part of a group of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface last month following the national authorities announced it was trying to help nationals stranded in Ukraine. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint alleging that several individuals had deceptively recruited 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 large portion of under-35s are not in work or education. The men are thought to remain caught in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their families thousands of miles away fear for their lives. The Initial Contact Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that contact was made in the middle of the year with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country. A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could join a self-improvement course, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even secure foreign nationality. Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the program and it was just so rushed,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’” Political Connections Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a fierce defender of her father, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Moscow date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in pushing 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. Separately, she is currently on trial on accusations of serious offenses related to online posts during past unrest. She denies those charges. The Journey to War The group allegedly gathered at a major international airport in early July before flying to Moscow. Communication records from private chat groups dated July and August reportedly show the group's concerns. By mid-August, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were separated. A communication explicitly stated: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.” In late August, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in a language he did not understand. An agreement linked to another member of the group appears to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been active in the hostilities since its beginning. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish In early November, the office of the South African president said it had been contacted by the men and was working to secure their return. The government noted that recruiting for external armed forces without state authorization is illegal. A deep rivalry between the two political figures adds a layer of complexity 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 families of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another relative, claiming her half-sister and others of enticing the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force. In response, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit claiming she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a proper program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role. The other named recruiters could not be reached for comment. An official representative said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to requests for comment. A Wider Pattern Authorities have indicated 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 among them a public figure recently faced a judge on charges relating to involvement for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, Mary continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “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 lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”