South African Radio Host Arrested on Suspicion of Recruiting Fighters for Russia

A South African radio host has appeared in court on charges of recruiting local men to fight for Russia in the war against Ukraine.

According to local police, Nonkululeko Mantula, a 39-year-old presenter at the state-owned radio station SAFM, was arrested, AP reports.

She is accused of recruiting four men and arranging for them to join the Russian army.

South African police reported that three mercenaries were detained while attempting to board a flight to Russia via the United Arab Emirates.

Police believe another mercenary recruited by Mantula has already departed for Russia.

The arrest of the state broadcaster’s presenter comes amid a separate investigation into the daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, who allegedly recruited 17 other men to fight as mercenaries for Russia in Ukraine.

Mercenary work is illegal in South Africa, authorities noted.

South African officials are taking steps to warn the public about campaigns on social media promoted by opinion leaders that promise jobs or study opportunities in Russia.

On November 6, the government reported that it had received requests for assistance from 17 citizens involved in the war in Ukraine and was working to bring them home.

It was later reported that Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former President Jacob Zuma, was involved in recruiting men from South Africa and Botswana to serve in the Russian armed forces.

She resigned from parliament on November 28 amid reports of her role in the recruitment of men into the Russian army.

On November 29, South African police arrested four men recruited as mercenaries for the Russian army who were en route to Russia.