SABC’s Nonkululeko Mantula Appears in Court, Faces Charges of Alleged Military Law Contravention
- Senior SAfm broadcaster, Nonkululeko Mantula, made her first appearance in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court
- The broadcaster and co-accused are charged with contravening South Africa’s Foreign Military Assistance Act
- The accused were arrested at the OR Tambo International Airport, on suspicion of being en route to Russia
Source: Getty Images
Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
GAUTENG – Senior SAfm broadcaster and co-chairperson of the Association of BRICS Journalists, Nonkululeko Mantula, has made her first appearance in court.
The South African Broadcasting Corporation's (SABC) Mantula appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 1 December 2025.
Mantula was arrested along with four others for contravening the country’s laws against assisting foreign military forces. Four of the suspects were apprehended at the OR Tambo International Airport on Friday, 28 November, on suspicion of being en route to Russia. They were en route to Russia via the United Arab Emirates.
According to a statement released by the Hawks on 29 November 2029, the suspects were intercepted and removed from the boarding gate after being flagged as suspicious, and subsequently referred to the Hawks’ Crimes Against the State (CATS) section for further investigation.
Mantula makes a brief appearance in court
The senior broadcaster and her co-accused made a brief appearance on 1 December, where they were charged with contravening South Africa’s Foreign Military Assistance Act.
The matter did not last long and was postponed to 8 December 2025 for possible bail applications. They were remanded into custody.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) stated that two of the suspects were believed to the recruiters, while the other three were believed to be the recruits. The NPA hasn't ruled out further arrests either.
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla linked to recruitment scandal
The arrests come days after Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla was linked to the recruitment of South African men to fight in the Russia/ Ukraine conflict.
The men, who contacted the Presidency for assistance, said they were sent to Russia for what they believed was training to become bodyguards. They were then sent to the frontlines of the conflict.
Zuma-Sambudla, who is the daughter of uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party leader Jacob Zuma, denied being the mastermind behind the recruitment, saying that she was misled as well. She has since resigned as a Member of Parliament for the MK Party.
Other stories about the men in Ukraine
Briefly News reported that the news about the men trapped in the wartorn area had made headlines
- Bonganini Nkosazana Zuma reportedly opened a criminal case against her sister, Zuma-Sambudla.
- The Hawks confirmed that an investigation into Zuma-Sambudla's alleged involvement was launched.
- A legal expert commented on the case of the South African men who were trapped in Donbas in Ukraine.
- The Democratic Alliance laid charges against Zuma's daughter over her alleged involvement in the situation.
Source: Briefly News
