Johannesburg – Five South Africans accused of running a Russian military recruitment scheme were granted bail — unopposed by the State — in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
The group, aged between 21 and 39, faces charges under the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act.
They were arrested after police at OR Tambo International Airport received a tip-off and stopped them from boarding a flight to Russia via the UAE.
According to the NPA, the alleged ringleader, Patricia Mantula, is accused of facilitating the group’s travel and recruitment into the Russian military.
[BREAKING NEWS] Five accused for the recruitment of South Africans to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war granted bail. First accused gets R30 000, second accused receives R15 000 with the rest getting R5 000 bail.#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/vVwcumgUk6
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) December 8, 2025
Bail amounts varied: Mantula received R30,000, Ntuli R15,000 due to Schedule 5 requirements, and the remaining three R5,000 each, with travel restrictions imposed on Mantula.
The case has been postponed to 10 February 2026 for further investigation.
The arrests follow earlier claims that Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, was involved in recruiting men to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war — allegations currently being probed by the Hawks.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
