🔗 Share this article ‘Pure Malevolence’: Heartbreak and Anger as Citizens Reportedly 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 sent to the frontlines of the war between Russia and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety. “My health is truly suffering,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It’s not easy for me.” The young man was part of a group of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russia. The alleged scheme is connected with a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to emerge last month after the national authorities said it was trying to help nationals trapped in the war zone. Then, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men. The accusation sent shock waves through the nation, where the broader situation has highlighted the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a large portion of under-35s are not in work or education. The men are thought to remain caught in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their families thousands of miles away dread for their lives. A Fateful Introduction Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla through a relative years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country. Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be trained as security personnel for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could enrol on a self-improvement course, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even obtain foreign nationality. Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’” A Complex Backdrop The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Moscow date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in advocating for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers. She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. Online, she has made statements aligning herself with the government 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 group allegedly gathered at a major international airport in early July before traveling to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups from July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns. In the following weeks, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, stating they were being split up. One message explicitly stated: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.” In late August, the young man called his mother to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in Russian. An agreement linked to another member of the group appears to be a contract with a designated force that has been active in the war since its beginning. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish In early November, the office of the South African president said it had received distress calls the men and was working to secure their return. The government noted that recruiting for external armed forces without official permission is illegal. The political rift between current and former leaders adds a layer of complexity to the case. Initially, the contingent included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to return home. A subsequent conversation between the accused and families of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Shortly after, the police report was filed by another relative, accusing her half-sister and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force. In response, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement claiming she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a proper program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role. Other individuals could not be reached for comment. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to inquiries. Broader Implications Reports suggest that hundreds of African nationals are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about these activities. Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals among them a public figure recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could 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 lets them down like that. What kind of person 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 sent to the frontlines of the war between Russia and Ukraine. From that moment, she has been gravely ill with anxiety. “My health is truly suffering,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, I’m in and out of hospital, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It’s not easy for me.” The young man was part of a group of 17 South African and two citizens of Botswana men who, as stated in legal filings, were tricked into serving with Russia. The alleged scheme is connected with a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's role began to emerge last month after the national authorities said it was trying to help nationals trapped in the war zone. Then, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint alleging that Zuma-Sambudla and two others had misled the men. The accusation sent shock waves through the nation, where the broader situation has highlighted the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Reports indicate a large portion of under-35s are not in work or education. The men are thought to remain caught in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their families thousands of miles away dread for their lives. A Fateful Introduction Mary, whose name has been changed, said she and her son were connected with Zuma-Sambudla through a relative years ago. She stated that an offer was presented in the middle of the year with what was presented as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country. Some of the men were reportedly promised they would be trained as security personnel for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. Others were allegedly told they could enrol on a self-improvement course, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even obtain foreign nationality. Early hesitation was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” the mother said. “They insisted: ‘They need to go, they need to go urgently.’” A Complex Backdrop The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her parent, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Historical ties between certain factions and Moscow date back many years. Jacob Zuma has been a leading figure in advocating for stronger alliances with nations often at odds with Western powers. She has also publicly expressed her support of Russia. Online, she has made statements aligning herself with the government 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 group allegedly gathered at a major international airport in early July before traveling to Moscow. Messages from private chat groups from July and August apparently indicate the group's concerns. In the following weeks, the men started demanding answers from their contacts, stating they were being split up. One message explicitly stated: “We are with a paramilitary organization, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.” In late August, the young man called his mother to say he was being pressured to agree to terms in Russian. An agreement linked to another member of the group appears to be a contract with a designated force that has been active in the war since its beginning. Government Response and Ongoing Anguish In early November, the office of the South African president said it had received distress calls the men and was working to secure their return. The government noted that recruiting for external armed forces without official permission is illegal. The political rift between current and former leaders adds a layer of complexity to the case. Initially, the contingent included 20 South Africans, but a few were permitted to return home. A subsequent conversation between the accused and families of the men allegedly provided little clarity. Shortly after, the police report was filed by another relative, accusing her half-sister and others of luring the men “under false pretences” and handing them to a foreign fighting force. In response, Zuma-Sambudla submitted a statement claiming she had been misled by another recruiter into believing it was a proper program. “Under no circumstances would I knowingly expose anyone to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently resigned from her elected role. Other individuals could not be reached for comment. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Foreign embassies have not responded to inquiries. Broader Implications Reports suggest that hundreds of African nationals are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, leading to appeals for nations to alert their populations about these activities. Unrelated to this incident, five more individuals among them a public figure recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia. Throughout this ordeal, the mother continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could 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 lets them down like that. What kind of person does that?”