URGENT UPDATE: A South African radio presenter, Nonkululeko Mantula, has been arrested on suspicion of recruiting fighters for Russia in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Mantula, aged 39, appeared in court on Monday after police acted on a tip-off, leading to her apprehension alongside four other suspects.
Police reports indicate that Mantula was instrumental in recruiting four men who were intercepted while attempting to board a flight to Russia via the United Arab Emirates. Authorities are investigating claims that another individual has already traveled to Russia after being recruited by Mantula. This alarming situation highlights a significant breach of South African law, which prohibits citizens from fighting for foreign military forces without government authorization.
The five suspects are currently being held in custody, with a bail hearing scheduled for next week. Mantula, who works for the state broadcaster’s SAFM radio station, is at the center of a growing scandal involving alleged recruitment efforts for Russia’s military.
This incident coincides with a separate investigation involving Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma. She faces accusations of duping 17 men into fighting as mercenaries for Russia in Ukraine, under the false pretense of providing security training for job placements. Last week, she resigned from her position as a lawmaker for her father’s MK Party amid these serious allegations.
The South African government has reported receiving distress calls from the men trapped in Ukraine, who claim they were coerced into combat for a Russian mercenary group. Disturbing reports suggest that upon arrival in Russia, these men had their passports and clothing burned, and their cell phones confiscated. The government is now collaborating with international law enforcement to facilitate their repatriation.
Russia has been accused of an extensive recruitment strategy targeting individuals from various countries, luring them with promises of employment. The South African government has issued warnings to its citizens regarding deceptive job offers propagated by social media influencers, especially those tied to Russian interests.
In a notable context, Zuma-Sambudla has been linked to pro-Russian propaganda since the onset of the Ukraine conflict. A 2023 report by the international non-profit Centre for Information Resilience revealed that her social media presence played a pivotal role in disseminating pro-Russia messages following the invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.
As this story develops, the implications of these arrests could lead to broader investigations into recruitment networks and the safety of South Africans abroad. Stay tuned for updates on this urgent situation as more information becomes available.
