Five South African nationals have appeared before a magistrate's court, accused of involvement in recruiting and sending fighters to support Russia's military efforts in Ukraine. The suspects, who include a well-known radio presenter, were arrested following a police tip-off at Johannesburg's main international airport.
Arrests and Court Appearances
The five individuals made a brief appearance at the Kempton Park magistrates court in Johannesburg on Monday. They have been remanded in custody, with a bail hearing scheduled for 8 December.
The accused are named as Nonkululeko Mantula, 39, a presenter on the national SAfm radio station; Thulani Mazibuko, 24; Xolani Ntuli, 47; Siphamandla Tshabalala, 23; and Sfiso Mabena, 21.
Police stated that the arrests began on Thursday last week when a female suspect was detained upon her return to South Africa at OR Tambo International Airport. Three more suspects were arrested at the same airport on Friday, with a fifth taken into custody on Saturday.
The Alleged Recruitment Operation
According to authorities, the investigation was triggered by a tip-off from airport police regarding three men en route to Russia via the United Arab Emirates. They were deemed suspicious and removed from their boarding gate, leading to the involvement of the Hawks' crimes against the state unit.
A preliminary police investigation indicated that a South African woman had been facilitating the travel and recruitment of individuals into the Russian military. It is alleged that up to 17 South Africans were tricked into travelling to the conflict zone, having been told they would be training as bodyguards for a political party.
The case has drawn attention due to competing police affidavits filed by two daughters of former president Jacob Zuma. One daughter, Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, alleged in a report filed on 22 November that her sister, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, and two others recruited 17 men—including eight Zuma relatives—under false pretences.
International Connections and Fallout
The profile of one suspect, radio presenter Nonkululeko Mantula, has raised particular interest. Her Instagram account showed her speaking at events in Moscow as recently as 9 November. She was also listed as co-chair of the Brics Journalists Association, an organisation sanctioned by the European Union in July for disseminating pro-Russian narratives.
The EU's sanctions tracker stated the association was used as a vehicle for disinformation under the guise of independent journalism. The bloc linked it to the late Yevgeny Prigozhin, founder of the Wagner mercenary group.
South African law prohibits citizens from fighting for or assisting foreign militaries without government authorisation. President Cyril Ramaphosa's office confirmed on 6 November that it was investigating how South African men became trapped in eastern Ukraine and was working to repatriate them.
Russia's embassy in South Africa has not yet responded to requests for comment on the allegations.
