‘Pure Malevolence’: Heartbreak and Anger as South Africans Reportedly Tricked into Fighting for Russian Forces

A mother has had no contact with her son since the end of August. The last time they spoke, he expressed fear that he was being sent to the battle lines of the war between Russia and its neighbor. Since that day, she has been gravely ill with anxiety.

“I’m honestly really sick,” she said, fatigue evident in her voice. “I suffer panic attacks, my hospital visits are frequent, palpitations. It’s just a whole lot. Headaches, I’m dizzy all the time. It’s not easy for me.”

Her son was among a contingent of seventeen South African and two Botswanan men who, according to multiple lawsuits, were deceptively recruited for serving with Russian military forces. The alleged scheme is linked to a daughter of former South African president Jacob Zuma.

A Political Bombshell

Claims about the individual's role began to emerge last month following the national authorities announced it was attempting to assist citizens stranded in Ukraine. Then, in a bombshell intervention, another of Zuma’s daughters, filed a police report alleging that several individuals had misled the men.

This claim sent shock waves through South Africa, where the wider scandal has highlighted the dire economic situation facing a significant youth demographic. Statistics show a large portion of under-35s are unemployed and not studying.

The men are thought to remain caught in a conflict they did not sign up for, while their relatives thousands of miles away fear for their lives.

The Initial Contact

Mary, whose identity is protected, said she and her son were introduced to the accused via a family connection when her son was still a child. She stated that contact was made in June with what was presented as an exciting opportunity in the foreign country.

A portion of the group were allegedly told they would be trained as security personnel for a political party associated with Jacob Zuma. The remainder were allegedly told they could join a personal development programme, upon completion they could attend a Russian university and even secure foreign nationality.

Initial wariness was overcome by agreement. “I remember asking 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.’”

Political Connections

The accused, has long been a fierce defender of her father, who holds considerable political influence nationally. Longstanding relations between certain factions and Moscow date back decades. Jacob Zuma has been at the forefront in advocating for closer relationships with nations often at odds with Western powers.

The accused has also frequently declared her backing for Russia. On social media, she has shared posts showing solidarity to the leadership 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.

The Journey to War

The group reportedly met at a major international airport in the summer before traveling 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. One message clearly read: “We are with a military group, in Ukraine. This is not 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 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 office of the South African president said it had been contacted by the men and was working to bring them home. The government noted that assisting external armed forces without state authorization is illegal.

The political rift between current and former leaders introduces an element of complexity to the case. At first, the contingent numbered 20 South Africans, but three were allowed to come back.

A subsequent conversation between the accused and families of the men reportedly yielded no answers. Shortly after, the formal allegation was lodged by another family member, claiming her half-sister and others of enticing the men “based on deception” and handing them to a Russian mercenary group.

Reacting to this, the accused 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 my own family to harm,” she said in excerpts of her statement. She subsequently stepped down from her elected role.

The other named recruiters could not be reached for a statement. A government spokesperson said there was “no update” on efforts to repatriate the men. Diplomatic missions did not reply to requests for comment.

Broader Implications

Authorities have indicated that hundreds of African nationals are serving with Moscow's military in Ukraine, prompting calls for nations to warn their citizens about such recruitment.

Unrelated to this incident, several other South Africans among them a public figure recently faced a judge on similar allegations relating to involvement for Russia.

Meanwhile, the mother continues to be worried sick and full of confusion and rage. “To think that someone could take a child … That constitutes sheer wickedness,” she said. “Promises were made that they weren’t going to war and she lets them down like that. I mean, who does that?”