🔗 Share this article ‘Pure Malevolence’: Heartbreak and Anger as South Africans Allegedly Tricked into Battling for Russian Forces A mother has not heard from her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the ongoing conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety. “I’m honestly really sick,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.” Her son was among a contingent of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were tricked into serving with Russian military forces. The purported operation is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface recently following the South African government announced it was attempting to assist nationals trapped in the war zone. Then, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that several individuals had misled the men. The accusation sent shock waves through the nation, where the broader situation has highlighted the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a large portion of under-35s are not in work or education. These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a war they did not sign up for, while their families thousands of miles away fear for their lives. The Initial Contact Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection years ago. She stated that contact was made in the middle of the year with what was described as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country. A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be instructed to become security personnel for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could join a personal development programme, upon completion they could study abroad and even secure foreign nationality. Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the program and it was just so rushed,” she said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’” A Complex Backdrop The accused, is known as a fierce defender of her parent, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Russia date back many years. Jacob Zuma 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. On social media, she has made statements aligning herself with the government in Moscow. Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during previous riots. She denies those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The group reportedly met at a major international airport in early July before flying to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups from July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease. By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were separated. A communication clearly read: “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 pressured to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. An agreement linked to another member of the group seems to be a contract with a designated force that has been involved in the war since its outset. Official Actions and Family Despair Recently, the national leadership said it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government noted that recruiting for foreign militaries without official permission is against the law. A deep rivalry between the two political figures introduces an element of complication to the case. At first, the contingent numbered twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to return home. A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another family member, accusing her half-sister and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. In response, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement asserting she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position. The other named recruiters could not be reached for comment. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to inquiries. Broader Implications Authorities have indicated that hundreds of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Russian forces 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 charges relating to involvement for Russia. Meanwhile, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”
A mother has not heard from her son since the end of August. Their final conversation, he voiced concern that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the ongoing conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety. “I’m honestly really sick,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, heart palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It is an immense struggle.” Her son was among a contingent of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were tricked into serving with Russian military forces. The purported operation is linked to a family member of ex-president Jacob Zuma. A Political Bombshell Claims about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to surface recently following the South African government announced it was attempting to assist nationals trapped in the war zone. Then, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, filed a police report claiming that several individuals had misled the men. The accusation sent shock waves through the nation, where the broader situation has highlighted the dire economic situation facing many of its young people. Reports indicate a large portion of under-35s are not in work or education. These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a war they did not sign up for, while their families thousands of miles away fear for their lives. The Initial Contact Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla via a family connection years ago. She stated that contact was made in the middle of the year with what was described as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country. A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be instructed to become security personnel for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could join a personal development programme, upon completion they could study abroad and even secure foreign nationality. Early hesitation eventually gave way to agreement. “I recall requesting for written agreements for the program and it was just so rushed,” she said. “The message was: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’” A Complex Backdrop The accused, is known as a fierce defender of her parent, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between South African political structures and Russia date back many years. Jacob Zuma 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. On social media, she has made statements aligning herself with the government in Moscow. Separately, she is facing legal proceedings on charges of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during previous riots. She denies those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The group reportedly met at a major international airport in early July before flying to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups from July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease. By mid-August, the men started demanding answers from their recruiters, stating they were separated. A communication clearly read: “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 pressured to sign a contract in a language he did not understand. An agreement linked to another member of the group seems to be a contract with a designated force that has been involved in the war since its outset. Official Actions and Family Despair Recently, the national leadership said it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to secure their return. The government noted that recruiting for foreign militaries without official permission is against the law. A deep rivalry between the two political figures introduces an element of complication to the case. At first, the contingent numbered twenty individuals, but a few were permitted to return home. A mid-November call between Zuma-Sambudla and families of the men allegedly provided no answers. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another family member, accusing her half-sister and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group. In response, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement asserting she had been deceived by another recruiter into believing it was a legitimate program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her political position. The other named recruiters could not be reached for comment. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on the mission to bring back the men. Foreign embassies did not reply to inquiries. Broader Implications Authorities have indicated that hundreds of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Russian forces 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 charges relating to involvement for Russia. Meanwhile, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could exploit a young person … That constitutes outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”