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By Palesa Matlala
- Nonkululeko Mantule and four men appeared in Kempton Park court after police stopped them at OR Tambo Airport on Friday.
- Hawks say Mantule helped arrange travel for men allegedly recruited to fight for Russia, with more arrests possible across South Africa.
Five suspects face serious trouble after police accused them of helping recruit South Africans to fight in the war between Russia and Ukraine.
The group appeared briefly in the Kempton Park Magistrates Court on Monday.
Among them is 39-year-old SAfm broadcaster Nonkululeko Mantule, who is accused of playing a central role in the network.
Her co-accused are Thulani Mazibuko, 24, Xolani Ntuli, 47, Siphamandla Tshabalala, 23, and Sfiso Mabena, 21.
Police arrested four of them on Friday at OR Tambo International Airport.
Mantule was arrested on Sunday.
Police say the group were minutes away from boarding a flight to Russia through the United Arab Emirates when they were stopped.
According to the Hawks, early investigations show Mantule helped arrange travel for the men.
They were allegedly recruited to work as mercenaries for the Russian military.
She had already left the country once before but was arrested when she returned.
The Hawks seized electronic devices and two backpacks during the arrests.
All five suspects face charges under the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act of 1998.
Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the investigation is far from over.
He said more arrests could follow in Gauteng and elsewhere.
“We are working with the Crime Intelligence Unit and international law enforcement agencies,” said Mogale.
“There are processes that must be followed before one goes to fight in a war that is not their countries.”
State prosecutor Pieter Erasmus said the suspects will remain in custody until their bail hearing next week. The case returns to court on 8 December 2025.
Earlier this month, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office said 17 South African men were lured to a war zone in eastern Ukraine with false promises of high-paying jobs.
They have since asked the government for help to return home.
Pictured above: The five accused appeared at Kempton Park Magistrates Court on military recruitment charges
Video source: Palesa Matlala
