Five South Africans Charged with Russia Recruitment

Five South Africans, including a prominent radio presenter, appeared in court in Johannesburg on Monday, charged with recruiting individuals to fight for Russia in its war against Ukraine, in violation of the country's Foreign Military Assistance Act.

Nonkululeko Mantula, 39, a presenter on the state broadcaster's SAFM radio station, was arrested along with four men: Xolani Ntuli, 47; Thulani Mazibuko, 24; Siphamandla Tshabalala, 23; and Sfiso Mabena, 21. Police stated that the arrests followed a tipoff from officers at OR Tambo International Airport, where three of the men were detained on Thursday and Friday while attempting to board flights to Russia via the United Arab Emirates. Mantula was apprehended upon her return to South Africa on Thursday, and authorities believe a fifth recruit may have already arrived in Russia. A police statement indicated that preliminary investigations revealed Mantula and Ntuli had facilitated the recruitment and travel arrangements for the group to join the Russian military.

The suspects were remanded in custody during a brief court hearing and are scheduled to return on December 8 for a bail application. The Foreign Military Assistance Act...