South African radio presenter accused of recruiting fighters for Russia

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South African authorities are grappling with an expanding pattern of suspected recruitment for Russia’s war in Ukraine, as a state media personality was arrested on December 1 after being at the centre of the controversy, reported the Associated Press.

Nonkululeko Mantula, a 39-year-old presenter for SAFM, appeared in court after being detained with four men whom police say she attempted to channel into the Russian military.

Police reported that the group was arrested following an intelligence tip. Three of the men were intercepted while trying to fly to Russia via the United Arab Emirates, while a fifth recruit is believed to have already reached Russia. Mantula is accused of coordinating their travel and acting as the primary recruiter. South African law prohibits joining a foreign army without government approval, and all five suspects have been ordered held in custody until their bail hearing next week.

Mantula’s case unfolds alongside a separate but closely watched investigation involving Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former President Jacob Zuma. She is alleged to have deceived 17 men into travelling to Russia under the pretext of receiving security training that would open job opportunities. Zuma-Sambudla resigned as a lawmaker for the MK Party last week after the allegations surfaced, which were first raised by her half-sister.

The 17 men later contacted South African authorities from eastern Ukraine, reporting that they had been forced into combat roles for a Russian mercenary group. Another political party has claimed that their passports were destroyed and their belongings confiscated on arrival in Russia. The government has launched a dedicated investigation into how the men ended up on the front lines and is working with international partners to repatriate them.

These cases have heightened concerns about Russia’s alleged recruitment tactics in Africa, including misleading job offers and social-media campaigns targeting both men and women. South African officials have warned the public to be wary of influencers promoting employment, training, or study opportunities in Russia.

Analysts note that pro-Russia messaging remains influential in parts of South Africa, pointing to previous research showing that Zuma-Sambudla’s social-media accounts played a notable role in spreading Kremlin-aligned narratives following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Associated Press, Maghrebi