🔗 Share this article ‘Pure Malevolence’: Heartbreak and Anger as South Africans Allegedly Tricked into Fighting for Russian Forces One parent 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 battle lines of the war between the Russian Federation 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, my hospital visits are frequent, heart 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 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russia. The purported operation is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Allegations about the individual's role began to emerge recently following the national authorities said it was trying to help citizens stranded in Ukraine. Then, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men. This claim rippled through South Africa, where the broader situation has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of under-35s are not in work or education. These individuals are believed to be caught in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their families thousands of miles away dread for their lives. The Initial Contact The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to the accused via a family connection years ago. 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 reportedly promised they would be trained as security personnel for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could enrol on a self-improvement course, upon completion they could study abroad and even obtain Russian citizenship. Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’” Political Connections Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who retains significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Russia date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in advocating for closer relationships with countries often at odds with Western powers. She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. On social media, she has made statements showing solidarity to the government in Moscow. In another matter, she is currently on trial on accusations of serious offenses related to social media activity during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. The Journey to War The men allegedly gathered at a travel hub in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups dated July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns. In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were separated. A communication clearly read: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” Towards the month's end, the young man called his mother to say he was being forced to agree to terms in Russian. An agreement linked to another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been involved in the hostilities since its beginning. Official Actions and Family Despair Recently, 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 foreign militaries without state authorization is illegal. The political rift between the two political figures adds a layer of complexity to the situation. At first, the group included twenty individuals, but three were allowed to return home. A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was filed by another relative, accusing her sibling and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force. In response, the accused filed her own affidavit asserting she had been misled by an associate into believing it was a legitimate training course. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position. Other individuals could not be reached for a statement. An official representative said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment. A Wider Pattern Reports suggest that hundreds of African nationals are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment. Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans including a media personality recently faced a judge on charges relating to involvement for Russia. Meanwhile, Mary continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “For someone to exploit a young person … I think that is sheer wickedness,” 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 had no contact with her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being sent to the battle lines of the war between the Russian Federation 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, my hospital visits are frequent, heart 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 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russia. The purported operation is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Allegations about the individual's role began to emerge recently following the national authorities said it was trying to help citizens stranded in Ukraine. Then, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men. This claim rippled through South Africa, where the broader situation has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of under-35s are not in work or education. These individuals are believed to be caught in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their families thousands of miles away dread for their lives. The Initial Contact The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to the accused via a family connection years ago. 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 reportedly promised they would be trained as security personnel for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could enrol on a self-improvement course, upon completion they could study abroad and even obtain Russian citizenship. Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, it is an immediate necessity.’” Political Connections Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who retains significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Russia date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in advocating for closer relationships with countries often at odds with Western powers. She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. On social media, she has made statements showing solidarity to the government in Moscow. In another matter, she is currently on trial on accusations of serious offenses related to social media activity during previous riots. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. The Journey to War The men allegedly gathered at a travel hub in the summer before traveling to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups dated July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns. In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were separated. A communication clearly read: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” Towards the month's end, the young man called his mother to say he was being forced to agree to terms in Russian. An agreement linked to another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been involved in the hostilities since its beginning. Official Actions and Family Despair Recently, 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 foreign militaries without state authorization is illegal. The political rift between the two political figures adds a layer of complexity to the situation. At first, the group included twenty individuals, but three were allowed to return home. A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Soon thereafter, the formal allegation was filed by another relative, accusing her sibling and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a foreign fighting force. In response, the accused filed her own affidavit asserting she had been misled by an associate into believing it was a legitimate training course. “I would not knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her political position. Other individuals could not be reached for a statement. An official representative said there was no new information on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment. A Wider Pattern Reports suggest that hundreds of African nationals are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment. Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans including a media personality recently faced a judge on charges relating to involvement for Russia. Meanwhile, Mary continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “For someone to exploit a young person … I think that is sheer wickedness,” 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?”