‘Pure Malevolence’: Heartbreak and Anger as Citizens Reportedly Tricked into Battling for Russian Forces

One parent has not heard from her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being dispatched to the battle lines of the war between the Russian Federation and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with worry.

“My health is truly suffering,” she said, exhaustion evident in her voice. “I suffer panic 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 seventeen South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in multiple lawsuits, were tricked into serving with Russia. The alleged scheme is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Claims about the individual's involvement began to emerge last month following the national authorities said it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in the war zone. Subsequently, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, lodged a formal complaint claiming that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men.

This claim rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal has highlighted the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Statistics show a substantial percentage of under-35s are unemployed and not studying.

These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a conflict they never agreed to join, while their relatives thousands of miles away fear for their lives.

The Initial Contact

The mother, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla through a relative when her son was still a child. She stated that contact was made in June with what was described as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country.

Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be instructed to become bodyguards for a faction led by Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could enrol on a personal development programme, upon completion they could study abroad and even obtain foreign nationality.

Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for written agreements for the school and it was just so rushed,” she said. “The message was: ‘They must leave, it is an immediate necessity.’”

A Complex Backdrop

Zuma-Sambudla, has long been a vocal supporter of her father, who retains significant sway nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Russia date back decades. The former president has been at the forefront in advocating for stronger alliances with nations often at in conflict with Western powers.

She has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. Online, she has made statements showing solidarity to the leadership in Moscow.

Separately, she is currently on trial on accusations of terrorism and inciting violence related to online posts during previous riots. She denies those charges.

From Airport to Battlefield

The men reportedly met at a travel hub in early July before flying to Moscow. Communication records from online forums from July and August reportedly show the men's growing unease.

In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were being split up. A communication explicitly stated: “We are with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.”

In late August, the young man contacted his parent to say he was being forced to agree to terms in Russian. An agreement linked to another member of the group appears to be a service agreement with a designated force that has been involved in the hostilities since its beginning.

Government Response and Ongoing Anguish

In early November, the national leadership said it had received distress calls the men and was attempting to bring them home. The government noted that recruiting for foreign militaries without official permission is against the law.

A deep rivalry between current and former leaders adds a layer of complexity to the case. Initially, the group numbered twenty individuals, but three were allowed to return home.

A mid-November call between the accused and relatives of the men reportedly yielded little clarity. Shortly after, the police report was lodged by another family member, accusing her half-sister and others of luring the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

In response, the accused filed her own affidavit asserting she had been deceived by an associate into believing it was a legitimate program. “I would not knowingly expose my own family to harm,” she said in parts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role.

The other named recruiters were unavailable for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was no new information on the mission to bring back 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 serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to warn their citizens about these activities.

Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans including a media personality recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia.

Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be consumed by fear and bewildered and angry. “For someone to take a child … I think that is outright evil,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”