Five South Africans, including a national radio presenter, have appeared in court on charges related to recruiting and fighting for Russia in its war against Ukraine. The arrests followed a tipoff that 17 South Africans were allegedly tricked into joining the conflict on the frontlines.
The suspects were arrested at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg between Thursday and Saturday. Police said a female suspect was detained on her return to South Africa, while three others were removed from a boarding gate en route to Russia via the United Arab Emirates. A fifth suspect was arrested on Saturday.
Those charged are Nonkululeko Mantula, 39, a presenter on SAfm's Morning Bliss show; Thulani Mazibuko, 24; Xolani Ntuli, 47; Siphamandla Tshabalala, 23; and Sfiso Mabena, 21. They were remanded in custody, with proceedings postponed until a bail hearing on 8 December.
Police allege that Mantula facilitated travel and recruitment of individuals into the Russian military. The case has drawn attention due to competing police affidavits filed by two daughters of former President Jacob Zuma, involving allegations that 17 men, including eight Zuma relatives, were recruited under false pretences to train as bodyguards. It is illegal for South Africans to fight for foreign militaries without government authorisation.
Mantula's social media shows her speaking at events in Moscow in November. She is co-chair of the Brics Journalists Association, which the EU sanctioned in July, describing it as a Russian NGO founded by late Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin and used to disseminate pro-Russian disinformation.
