Court delays case against alleged Russia war recruiters
The case against five people accused of recruiting South Africans to fight for Russia in its war with Ukraine, including SAFM radio host Nonkululeko Mantula, has been postponed to April for further investigation.
Mantula, 39, appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court alongside Thulani Mazibuko, 24, Xolani Ntuli, 47, Siphamandla Tshabalala, 23, and Sfiso Mabena, 21.
All five are charged with contravening the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act of 1998.
National Prosecuting Authority Gauteng spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole said the matter was postponed to April 29, 2026, to allow the State to complete its investigations.
“Each of the accused faces a charge of contravening the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act 15 of 1998,” Mohlatlole said.
“The postponement was granted to allow the State to obtain Financial Intelligence Centre reports relating to all the accused and to seek mutual legal assistance from Russia.”
Mohlatlole said the arrests followed a tip-off from police at OR Tambo International Airport, who intercepted some of the accused as they attempted to travel to Russia via the United Arab Emirates.
“They were removed from the boarding gate after being deemed suspicious.”
“It is further alleged that the first accused facilitated the travel and recruitment of her co-accused into the military of the Russian Federation,” Mahlatlole added.
Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of the remaining suspects.
The group was arrested in December by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, known as the Hawks.
At the time, Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said police at OR Tambo International Airport alerted the Hawks to three men allegedly en route to Russia via the United Arab Emirates.
“They were removed from the boarding gate after raising suspicion and referred to the Hawks’ Crimes Against the State section,” Mogale said.
A preliminary investigation revealed that a South African woman had allegedly facilitated their travel and recruitment into the Russian Federation’s military.
A fourth suspect was arrested upon returning from an overseas trip, while the fifth was detained on Saturday, November 29, 2025.
Search-and-seizure warrants were executed, and electronic devices as well as two backpacks were confiscated for further investigation.
“Coordination with intelligence and international law enforcement agencies is ongoing to determine the full extent of the network and any potential security threats,” Mogale said.
The accused were previously granted bail in December 2025.
Mantula’s bail was set at R30,000, while Ntuli, whose application fell under Schedule 5, was granted bail of R15,000.
The remaining accused were each granted bail of R5,000, with conditions.
The court also restricted Mantula’s travel to within South Africa’s borders.
The case gained public attention last month due to allegations that Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, may have been involved in recruiting individuals to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Her alleged involvement is currently under investigation by the Hawks.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
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