🔗 Share this article ‘Pure Malevolence’: Anguish and Fury as Citizens Reportedly Tricked into Fighting for Russia One parent has not heard from her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the battle lines 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, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.” 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 Russia. The purported operation is connected with a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to emerge recently after the South African government announced it was trying to help nationals stranded in Ukraine. Then, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men. The accusation rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of under-35s are unemployed and not studying. The men are believed to be trapped in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their families far from home fear for their lives. A Fateful Introduction The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country. A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be trained as security personnel for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could enrol on a self-improvement course, upon completion they could study abroad and even secure foreign nationality. Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the program 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 fierce defender of her father, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Russia date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in advocating for closer relationships with nations often at odds with Western powers. She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. On social media, she has made statements aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow. In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings 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 men reportedly met at a major international airport in early July before traveling to Moscow. Messages 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 being split up. A communication clearly read: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” Towards the month's end, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being forced to agree to terms in Russian. An agreement associated with another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been involved in the hostilities since its outset. Official Actions and Family Despair In early November, the office of the South African president said it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government noted that recruiting for external armed forces without official permission is illegal. A deep rivalry between the two political figures introduces an element of complication to the case. Initially, the group included twenty individuals, but three were allowed to come back. A mid-November call between the accused and families of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Soon thereafter, the police report was filed by another family member, claiming her sibling 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 an associate into believing it was a legitimate training course. “I would not 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. An official representative said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to requests for comment. Broader Implications Reports suggest that a significant number of African nationals are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about these activities. Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia. Meanwhile, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could take a child … That constitutes 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 not heard from her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the battle lines 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, heart palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.” 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 Russia. The purported operation is connected with a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to emerge recently after the South African government announced it was trying to help nationals stranded in Ukraine. Then, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men. The accusation rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a substantial percentage of under-35s are unemployed and not studying. The men are believed to be trapped in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their families far from home fear for their lives. A Fateful Introduction The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection when her son was still a child. She stated that an offer was presented in June with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country. A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be trained as security personnel for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could enrol on a self-improvement course, upon completion they could study abroad and even secure foreign nationality. Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the program 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 fierce defender of her father, who retains considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Russia date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in advocating for closer relationships with nations often at odds with Western powers. She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. On social media, she has made statements aligning herself with the leadership in Moscow. In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings 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 men reportedly met at a major international airport in early July before traveling to Moscow. Messages 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 being split up. A communication clearly read: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. This is not Russia.” Towards the month's end, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being forced to agree to terms in Russian. An agreement associated with another member of the group seems to be a service agreement with a specific military unit that has been involved in the hostilities since its outset. Official Actions and Family Despair In early November, the office of the South African president said it had been contacted by the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government noted that recruiting for external armed forces without official permission is illegal. A deep rivalry between the two political figures introduces an element of complication to the case. Initially, the group included twenty individuals, but three were allowed to come back. A mid-November call between the accused and families of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Soon thereafter, the police report was filed by another family member, claiming her sibling 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 an associate into believing it was a legitimate training course. “I would not 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. An official representative said there was “no update” on the mission to bring back the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to requests for comment. Broader Implications Reports suggest that a significant number of African nationals are serving with Russian forces in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about these activities. Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia. Meanwhile, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could take a child … That constitutes 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?”