Case of five suspects with alleged links to Russia-Ukraine war adjourned

Benches inside the court

The case against five suspects allegedly linked to the recruitment of South Africans to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war has been postponed to next Monday for a formal bail application.

South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) Freelance presenter Nonkululeko Mantula, Thulani Mazibuko, Xolani Ntuli, Siphamandla Tshabalala and Sifiso Mabena briefly appeared before the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

They face charges under the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act, which prohibits South Africans from participating in foreign armed conflicts without government approval.

HAWKS spokesperson Katlego Mogale says there is a process that needs to be followed before anyone can participate in foreign armed conflicts.

“We want to interrogate that what is important, that for one to be able to go fight a war that is not with their own country, there are certain processes that need to be followed, and those were not followed, and we don’t know how they were recruited”

WATCH | Five people suspected to have links to the Russian military are expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court in Johannesburg this morning. Chriselda Lewis reports. pic.twitter.com/1PPTdIQade

— SABC News (@SABCNews) December 1, 2025