🔗 Share this article ‘Pure Malevolence’: Heartbreak and Anger as Citizens Allegedly Deceived into Fighting for Russia One parent has had no contact with her son since late August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the war between Russia and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with worry. “I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It’s not easy for me.” Her son was part of a group of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russia. The alleged scheme is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Allegations about the individual's role began to surface recently after the South African government announced it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in Ukraine. Then, in a dramatic development, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited 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. Statistics show a large portion of young adults are not in work or education. The men are believed to be caught in a war they never agreed to join, while their relatives far from home fear for their lives. The Initial Contact The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with the accused 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 described as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country. Some of the men were allegedly told they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could enrol on a personal development programme, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even secure Russian citizenship. Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” 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 father, who retains significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Russia date back many years. The former president has been at the forefront in advocating for stronger alliances with countries often at odds with Western powers. She has also frequently declared her support of Russia. On social media, she has made statements showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow. In another matter, she is currently on trial on accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The group reportedly met at a major international airport in early July before flying to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease. By mid-August, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. A communication explicitly stated: “We have been placed 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 forced to sign a contract 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 involved in the hostilities since its outset. 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 bring them home. The government emphasized that recruiting for foreign militaries without state authorization is illegal. The political rift 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 return home. A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Soon thereafter, the police report was lodged by another relative, accusing her sibling and others of luring 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 legitimate training course. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her elected role. The other named recruiters were unavailable for comment. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment. Broader Implications Authorities have indicated that a significant number of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about these activities. In a separate case, five more individuals including a media personality recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, Mary 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 betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”
One parent has had no contact with her son since late August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the war between Russia and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with worry. “I’m honestly really sick,” she stated, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It’s not easy for me.” Her son was part of a group of seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russia. The alleged scheme is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Allegations about the individual's role began to surface recently after the South African government announced it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in Ukraine. Then, in a dramatic development, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint claiming that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had deceptively recruited 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. Statistics show a large portion of young adults are not in work or education. The men are believed to be caught in a war they never agreed to join, while their relatives far from home fear for their lives. The Initial Contact The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were connected with the accused 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 described as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country. Some of the men were allegedly told they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could enrol on a personal development programme, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even secure Russian citizenship. Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” 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 father, who retains significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between South African political structures and Russia date back many years. The former president has been at the forefront in advocating for stronger alliances with countries often at odds with Western powers. She has also frequently declared her support of Russia. On social media, she has made statements showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow. In another matter, she is currently on trial on accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during past unrest. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The group reportedly met at a major international airport in early July before flying to Moscow. Messages from online forums from July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease. By mid-August, the men began questioning from their recruiters, stating they were being split up. A communication explicitly stated: “We have been placed 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 forced to sign a contract 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 involved in the hostilities since its outset. 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 bring them home. The government emphasized that recruiting for foreign militaries without state authorization is illegal. The political rift 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 return home. A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Soon thereafter, the police report was lodged by another relative, accusing her sibling and others of luring 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 legitimate training course. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her elected role. The other named recruiters were unavailable for comment. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to requests for comment. Broader Implications Authorities have indicated that a significant number of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about these activities. In a separate case, five more individuals including a media personality recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, Mary 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 betrayed them like that. What kind of person does that?”