Five South Africans appeared before the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court on Monday following their arrest at OR Tambo International Airport over the weekend for allegedly attempting to join Russian military forces.
The accused – Patricia Mantula (39), Xolani Ntuli (46), Thulani Mazibuku (24), Siphamdla Chabalala (23), and Sfiso Mabena (21) – each face charges of contravening the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act 15 of 1998.
The court postponed the case to 8 December, to allow for formal bail applications, with the State requesting a seven-day postponement to verify the accused’s residential addresses.
According to court documents, the suspects were arrested following a tip-off from OR Tambo International Airport police, who intercepted them as they attempted to board a flight to Russia via the United Arab Emirates. The group was removed from the boarding gate after being deemed suspicious by authorities.
Investigators allege that Mantula, the eldest of the accused, played a key role in facilitating the travel arrangements and recruitment of her co-accused for service in the Russian Federation military. Additional investigations following her arrest led to the apprehension of the other four suspects.
These arrests have come in the wake of the news of 17 South African men fighting as mercenaries for Russia in Ukraine’s war-torn Donbas region, that issued desperate pleas for government assistance to return home.
And shortly after this, the daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, has been accused of recruiting and trafficking young South African men into the Russian war effort in Ukraine.
The Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act, under which the accused are charged, prohibits South African citizens from participating in foreign military activities without proper authorisation. The legislation was enacted to prevent South Africans from becoming involved in foreign conflicts and to maintain the country’s neutrality in international disputes.
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The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) highlighted its commitment to ensuring accountability for violations of South African law. In a statement, the NPA said it “is committed to ensuring that individuals who violate the laws of the country are held accountable and will continue to work with other law-enforcement partners to protect the integrity and security of the Republic.”
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