What You Need to Know
Five South Africans have appeared in court on charges related to recruiting and fighting for Russia in the Ukraine war. The arrests follow claims that 17 others were deceived into joining the front lines. The police detained a woman and three men at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport, with further investigations ongoing.
Africa. Five South Africans have appeared in court on charges related to recruiting and fighting for Russia in its war against Ukraine, amid allegations that 17 other citizens were deceived into joining the front lines.
Police reported that a woman was arrested on Thursday upon her return to OR Tambo International Airport near Johannesburg, while three men were detained at the airport on Friday, and another on Saturday.
The statement clarified that the arrests followed a report about three men who were on their way to Russia, where they were removed from the boarding gate due to suspicions before being referred to the Hawks special investigation unit.
The preliminary investigation revealed the involvement of a South African woman in facilitating the travel and recruitment of these individuals into the Russian armed forces.
The suspects who appeared in court during a brief session include: Nonkululeko Mantola (39), a national radio presenter; Thulani Mazibuko (24); Zulani Ntuli (47); Sibhamandla Chabalala (23); and Sefizo Mabina (21). They were remanded in custody pending a bail hearing scheduled for December 8.
Political and Familial Background
The arrests come amid conflicting testimonies from the daughters of former South African President Jacob Zuma, with Nokosazana Zuma-Mnqobi accusing her sister Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla and two others of recruiting 17 men, including eight of Zuma’s relatives, by misleading them into believing they would receive training as personal bodyguards for the family’s political party, Umkhonto we Sizwe.
Zuma-Sambudla claimed that Blessing Khoza deceived her into recruiting individuals for what she thought was a legitimate course after participating in a month-long training in Russia, before resigning last week from her position as a deputy for Umkhonto we Sizwe, meaning ‘Spear of the Nation’ in Zulu.
On November 6, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office announced that it was investigating how these men ended up in eastern Ukraine and was working to repatriate them to South Africa.
Controversial Figure
The allegations against Mantola have garnered significant attention, as she was a presenter on South African radio and shared photos from Moscow on her Instagram account.
According to her social media accounts, she served as the co-chair of the BRICS Journalists Association, an organization that was placed on the European sanctions list in July for being a tool to disseminate pro-Russian narratives and misinformation under the guise of independent journalism.
European records indicate that the association was founded by Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the Wagner Group who died in a plane crash in 2023, and that it was used to spread fake content sourced from the media manipulation unit ‘Storm-1516.’
The recent arrests highlight the complex dynamics surrounding South Africa’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict. Allegations of recruitment for foreign military engagements have surfaced, particularly involving individuals linked to prominent political figures. This situation reflects broader geopolitical tensions and the challenges faced by nations grappling with the implications of international conflicts.
The involvement of figures related to former President Jacob Zuma adds a layer of intrigue, as accusations of manipulation and deceit emerge. The South African government’s response to these incidents underscores the delicate balance between national security and international affairs,
