Nonkululeko Patricia Mantula and four men were arrested at OR Tambo International Airport accused of recruiting individuals to fight for Russia in the war against Ukraine.Authorities charged Mantula and the men—Thulani Mazibuko, Xolani Ntuli, Siphamandla Tshabalala, and Sfiso Mabena—with violating national law prohibiting citizens from joining foreign militaries without permission.The government said Mantula is a radio presenter for
SAFM, affiliated to the Brics Journalists Association, and linked to
Yevgeny Prigozhin and
Wagner Group, which the EU has sanctioned for promoting pro-Russian narratives.