🔗 Share this article ‘Pure Malevolence’: Anguish and Fury as Citizens Allegedly Tricked into Fighting for Russian Forces A mother has had no contact with her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the battle lines of the war between Russia and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with anxiety. “My health is truly suffering,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.” Her son was part of a group of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into fighting for Russian military forces. The purported operation is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to surface recently after the national authorities announced it was attempting to assist nationals stranded in the war zone. Then, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint claiming that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men. The accusation rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Statistics show a large portion of young adults are unemployed and not studying. These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a war they never agreed to join, while their families far from home fear for their lives. The Initial Contact The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla through a relative years ago. She stated that contact was made in June with what was described as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country. A portion of the group were reportedly promised they would be trained as bodyguards for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could enrol on a self-improvement course, upon completion they could study abroad and even secure Russian citizenship. Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’” A Complex Backdrop The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her father, who retains significant sway nationally. Historical ties 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. Online, she has made statements aligning herself with the government in Moscow. In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of serious offenses related to social media activity during past unrest. She denies those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The group reportedly met at a major international airport in early July before flying to Moscow. Communication records from online forums dated July and August reportedly show the group's concerns. In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were being split up. A communication clearly read: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.” Towards the month's end, the son called his mother to say he was being forced to agree to terms in Russian. A document associated with another member of the group seems to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been active in the hostilities since its beginning. Official Actions and Family Despair In early November, the office of the South African president said it had received distress calls the men and was working to bring them home. The government noted that recruiting for external armed forces without state authorization is illegal. A deep rivalry between current and former leaders adds a layer of complexity to the situation. Initially, the contingent included 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to come back. A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men allegedly provided no answers. Shortly after, 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 foreign fighting force. Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit asserting she had been misled by an associate into believing it was a legitimate training course. “I would not 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. An official representative said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to inquiries. Broader Implications Authorities have indicated that a significant number of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about these activities. In a separate case, five more individuals among them a public figure recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia. Meanwhile, Mary continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could take a child … That constitutes sheer wickedness,” 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 had no contact with her son since late August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the battle lines of the war between Russia and Ukraine. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with anxiety. “My health is truly suffering,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I get anxiety attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It's overwhelming. Constant headaches and dizziness. It’s not easy for me.” Her son was part of a group of 17 South African and two Botswanan men who, according to legal filings, were tricked into fighting for Russian military forces. The purported operation is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma. A Startling Allegation Allegations about Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla's involvement began to surface recently after the national authorities announced it was attempting to assist nationals stranded in the war zone. Then, in a bombshell intervention, a different family member, lodged a formal complaint claiming that several individuals had deceptively recruited the men. The accusation rippled through the nation, where the wider scandal has shone a light on the severe financial hardship facing a significant youth demographic. Statistics show a large portion of young adults are unemployed and not studying. These individuals are thought to remain trapped in a war they never agreed to join, while their families far from home fear for their lives. The Initial Contact The mother, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to Zuma-Sambudla through a relative years ago. She stated that contact was made in June with what was described as an lucrative prospect in the foreign country. A portion of the group were reportedly promised they would be trained as bodyguards for a political party led by Jacob Zuma. The remainder were given the impression they could enrol on a self-improvement course, upon completion they could study abroad and even secure Russian citizenship. Initial wariness eventually gave way to agreement. “I remember asking for contracts for the school and it was handled with great urgency,” she said. “They insisted: ‘They must leave, they need to go urgently.’” A Complex Backdrop The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her father, who retains significant sway nationally. Historical ties 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. Online, she has made statements aligning herself with the government in Moscow. In another matter, she is facing legal proceedings on accusations of serious offenses related to social media activity during past unrest. She denies those charges. From Airport to Battlefield The group reportedly met at a major international airport in early July before flying to Moscow. Communication records from online forums dated July and August reportedly show the group's concerns. In the following weeks, the men began questioning from their contacts, stating they were being split up. A communication clearly read: “We have been placed with a military group, in Ukraine. We are not in Russia.” Towards the month's end, the son called his mother to say he was being forced to agree to terms in Russian. A document associated with another member of the group seems to be a contract with a specific military unit that has been active in the hostilities since its beginning. Official Actions and Family Despair In early November, the office of the South African president said it had received distress calls the men and was working to bring them home. The government noted that recruiting for external armed forces without state authorization is illegal. A deep rivalry between current and former leaders adds a layer of complexity to the situation. Initially, the contingent included 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to come back. A subsequent conversation between Zuma-Sambudla and relatives of the men allegedly provided no answers. Shortly after, 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 foreign fighting force. Reacting to this, Zuma-Sambudla filed her own affidavit asserting she had been misled by an associate into believing it was a legitimate training course. “I would not 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. An official representative said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions have not responded to inquiries. Broader Implications Authorities have indicated that a significant number of citizens from African countries are fighting alongside Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about these activities. In a separate case, five more individuals among them a public figure recently appeared in court on similar allegations relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia. Meanwhile, Mary continues to be worried sick and bewildered and angry. “To think that someone could take a child … That constitutes sheer wickedness,” she said. “She kept assuring them that they would not see combat and she betrayed them like that. I mean, who does that?”