SAfm host arrested as Hawks probe alleged Russia-Ukraine recruitment network

December 1, 2025 142

SAfm presenter, Nonkululeko Mantula, and her four co-accused will remain behind bars for a week as investigations deepen into an alleged recruitment network sending South Africans to join the Russia–Ukraine war.

Mantula — a 39-year-old senior SABC journalist — appeared briefly in the Kempton Park Magistrates Court on Monday morning alongside Thulani Mazibuko, Xolani Ntuli, Siphamandla Tshabalala and Sifiso Mabena. The group was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport over the weekend.

They face charges under the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act, which prohibits South Africans from taking part in foreign armed conflicts without state approval.

State Prosecutor, Pieter Erasmu,s told the court the state is opposing bail for now, but requested a postponement to next Monday for a potential formal bail application. He noted that after preliminary assessments, the state may ultimately not oppose bail.

The defence agreed to the postponement.

The Hawks say the case forms part of a broader probe into how several South Africans are allegedly being recruited and facilitated to join the conflict.

Search-and-seizure warrants have been executed on electronic devices and backpacks confiscated from the accused.

The arrests were triggered by a tip-off from OR Tambo SAPS after four men en route to Russia via the UAE raised suspicion at a boarding gate.

The investigation may also intersect with a separate case involving former President Jacob Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, who is accused of recruiting 17 South African men under false pretences for the Donbas region. Those men remain stranded in eastern Ukraine.

Hawks spokesperson, Katlego Mogale, said possible links between the two recruitment operations cannot be ruled out. She confirmed that all suspects so far are from Gauteng, but the investigation may widen to other provinces.

Mogale urged South Africans to be cautious of overseas job offers, adding that the Hawks are working with intelligence and international law-enforcement agencies to map the full extent of the alleged network.

Mantula and her co-accused will return to court on 8 December for their formal bail application. All five remain in custody.

#sapsHAWKS [UPDATE] The five accused, Nonkululeko Mantula (39), Thulani Mazibuko (24), Xolani Ntuli (47), Siphamandla Tshabalala (23) and Sfiso Mabena (21) have appeared before the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court facing charges of contravention of Regulation of Foreign Military… pic.twitter.com/qTnqPFBZil

— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) December 1, 2025