SABC Presenter Dr Mantula in court as Russia recruitment case postponed

The Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Monday postponed the case involving SA FM radio presenter Nonkululeko Mantula and four other individuals accused of contravening the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act. The matter has been moved to next week Monday, 08 December 2025, for a formal bail application, and all five accused remain in custody.

Mantula (39), along with Thulani Mazibuko (24), Xolani Ntuli (47), Siphamandla Tshabalala (23) and Sfiso Mabena (21), was formally charged after being questioned at OR Tambo International Airport on Friday. Authorities allege that the group violated South Africa’s laws prohibiting unauthorised involvement in foreign armed forces or military operations.

The arrests followed a tip off from OR Tambo SAPS, where three of the suspects were removed from the boarding gate while attempting to travel to Russia via the United Arab Emirates. Police officers deemed their travel suspicious and referred the matter to the Hawks’ Crimes Against the State (CATS) unit for further investigation.

A preliminary probe revealed that a South African woman had allegedly been facilitating the recruitment and travel of the individuals to join the Russian Federation military. According to investigators, one individual had already left the country for Russia. The fourth suspect was arrested upon her return to South Africa from an overseas trip, while the fifth was apprehended on Saturday, 29 November 2025.

Search and seizure warrants were carried out, and authorities confiscated electronic devices and two backpacks believed to contain material relevant to the investigation. Officials say these items will undergo forensic analysis.

Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the arrests form part of a broader investigation into possible unlawful recruitment networks operating within South Africa. “The coordination with intelligence and international law enforcement agencies is ongoing to determine the full extent of the network and any further security threats,” Mogale said.

Mogale confirmed that the suspects were interviewed extensively after being flagged at OR Tambo International Airport and that additional evidence gathered during these interviews led to the arrest of three more individuals the following day.

The Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act prohibits South African citizens from engaging in foreign military activity without government approval. Authorities have emphasised that any involvement in foreign armed forces without authorisation constitutes a serious offence.

The five accused are expected to return to the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court next Monday for their formal bail hearing as investigations continue.