Five South Africans Accused Of Recruiting Fighters For Russia Back In Court For Bail Hearing

Five South Africans charged with allegedly recruiting young men to join Russian forces in the Ukraine war are expected to return to the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Monday as their bail hearing continues.

The group was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport almost two weeks ago, just moments before they were set to board a flight to Moscow. They made their first court appearance last week, but the matter was postponed for the bail application to proceed.

Among the accused are SABC radio presenter Nonkululeko Mantula and 46-year-old Xolani Ntuli, who are accused of luring three men between the ages of 21 and 24 to join the Russian military.

Accused Face Charges Under Foreign Military Assistance Act

The three young men allegedly recruited — Thulani Mazibuko, Siphamandla Tshabalala, and Sfiso Mabena — are also charged and will appear alongside the others when proceedings resume.

All five are accused of attempting to unlawfully participate in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, allegedly contravening the Foreign Military Assistance Act, which regulates involvement in foreign military operations.

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State prosecutor Pieter Erasmus told the court that the National Prosecuting Authority has not yet decided whether it will object to the group being granted bail.

“There is a good possibility that the state will after certain preliminary investigations, will not object to the granting of bail,” Erasmus said.

Allegations of Central Role in Recruitment Efforts

Mantula is alleged to have played a key role in convincing the three young men to travel to Russia, a claim that will form part of the ongoing legal proceedings.

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