A South African radio presenter, Nonkululeko Mantula, has appeared in court on accusations of recruiting men to fight for Russia in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The 39-year-old was arrested along with four other individuals after authorities received a tip-off. According to investigators, Mantula arranged for the men’s planned enlistment into the Russian army.
The arrests came after three of the men were intercepted at the airport while attempting to travel to Russia via the United Arab Emirates. Authorities believe a fifth recruit may have already reached Russia. The South African government has emphasized that fighting for a foreign army without official approval is illegal, and all five suspects have been remanded in custody pending a bail hearing scheduled for next week.
Mantula, a presenter on SAFM, was taken into custody as part of a broader investigation involving Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of former President Jacob Zuma. Zuma-Sambudla is accused of deceiving 17 South African men into traveling to Russia under the guise of security training that would lead to employment opportunities. She resigned from parliament last week following the allegations.
The South African government has confirmed that it received distress calls from the 17 men, who claim they were forced to fight for a Russian mercenary group in eastern Ukraine. Another political party alleges that the men had their passports, clothing, and phones confiscated upon arrival in Russia. Authorities have launched a wider investigation into the recruitment of South Africans to fight in the war, working with international agencies to repatriate the men.
Russia has faced repeated accusations of recruiting foreign fighters by advertising fake job opportunities. South African officials have warned that women are being targeted online with false offers of work in Russian drone factories, hospitality, and catering. The government has emphasized its commitment to bringing the men home and is working to prevent further recruitment.
The case highlights the ongoing concerns surrounding foreign recruitment in the conflict in Ukraine. As the investigation continues, the South African government is urging citizens to be cautious of suspicious job offers and to report any information related to the recruitment of fighters. The incident also underscores the need for increased awareness and cooperation between governments to prevent the exploitation of individuals by foreign entities.