Nonkululeko Mantula Arrested as Government Probes Separate Case Involving Zuma’s Daughter
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA: A South African radio presenter, Nonkululeko Mantula (39), appeared in court today, Monday, facing charges related to allegedly recruiting men to fight for the Russian army in the war in Ukraine. Mantula, a presenter for the state broadcaster’s SAFM radio station, was arrested alongside four men following a police tip-off.
The suspects, who were detained while three men attempted to board a flight to Russia via the United Arab Emirates, face charges for contravening the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act, which prohibits South Africans from fighting for a foreign army without government permission. They have been ordered to remain in custody until a bail hearing next week. Police believe at least one other person had already successfully traveled to Russia after being recruited by Mantula.
This arrest comes as police are conducting a separate, high-profile investigation into Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of former President Jacob Zuma, over allegations she duped 17 South African men into traveling to Russia to fight as mercenaries.
Zuma-Sambudla, who has a history of promoting pro-Russia messages on social media, resigned as a lawmaker for her father’s MK Party last week after the allegations surfaced. She is accused of misleading the men, including some relatives, into believing they would receive security training that would secure them jobs.
The South African government recently confirmed it received distress calls from the 17 citizens, who have reportedly been forced to fight for a Russian mercenary group in eastern Ukraine and are now trapped. Reports from a political party allege the men’s passports and phones were confiscated upon arrival.
The government has launched a separate investigation and is working with international law enforcement to repatriate the stranded men.
The government has also issued a broad public warning urging people to be cautious of campaigns promoted by South African social media influencers promising jobs and study opportunities in Russia, noting concerns that Russia has been accused of using such schemes to recruit men for combat and women for work in drone factories under false pretenses.