By Frank Ulom
CAPE TOWN (CONVERSEER) – Five South African nationals accused of recruiting local men to join the Russia–Ukraine conflict are expected to appear at the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Monday, in a case that has attracted national and international concern.
The suspects — Nonkululeko Mantula, Xolani Ntuli, Thulani Mazibuko, Siphamandla Tshabalala and Sifiso Mabena — are alleged to have coordinated the recruitment of 17 South African men who were flown to Russia in July 2025 under the guise of legitimate security employment. The group, aged between 20 and 39, comprised 16 men from KwaZulu-Natal and one from the Eastern Cape.
According to the spokesperson for the affected families, Thulani Mahlangu, the men were effectively “sold for R14 million,” a development he said has left families distressed and desperate for answers. He told the SABC that the recruits discovered on arrival in Russia that they were being presented with contracts written in Russian. He claimed the men signed the documents only after being persuaded by South African individuals abroad, including Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla.
In November, the Democratic Alliance (DA) opened a criminal case of human trafficking against Zuma-Sambudla, citing fresh evidence allegedly linking her to a WhatsApp group used to coordinate the recruitment of at least 22 men. DA spokesperson on Defence and Military Veterans, Chris Hattingh, said the messages indicated that the men were promised ‘personal development,’ ‘security training,’ and even Russian or Canadian citizenship.
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Mahlangu alleged that once the men arrived in Russia, they underwent a month-long military training programme and were informed that they would be taking part in the war. He said former President Jacob Zuma was notified of the group’s situation in September and initially intervened to facilitate their release, but a subsequent video call with Zuma-Sambudla reportedly changed the course of events.
Zuma-Sambudla has denied wrongdoing, insisting she was misled and is herself a victim.
Mahlangu further claimed that another letter — allegedly also bearing Zuma’s signature — surfaced later, stating that the men should remain in Russia for 12 months. He said families have repeatedly contacted the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) and visited the Russian and Ukrainian embassies for help. According to him, Ukrainian officials were unaware that South Africans were fighting on the Russian side and advised the men to surrender. He said this was impossible as the group was fighting under a private military organisation and risked being killed if they attempted to flee.
He alleged that the men were purchased by commanders in Russia for R14 million and would only be released if the same amount is paid. Mahlangu stressed that the families cannot raise such funds. Some parents reportedly approached former President Zuma for assistance, but he was said not to have been aware of the alleged trafficking scheme and believed the men had travelled for VIP training.
Mahlangu added that one of the South African men was hospitalised after suffering a heart attack, while another was deployed to the frontline in harsh winter conditions. He also claimed that two Botswana nationals training with them were killed in a drone strike.
He maintained that the men were misled into believing they were leaving South Africa for legitimate VIP protection training, insisting the matter involved “fraud and forgery.” He said a commander told him that recruits rarely return once they sign the 12-month contract.
The suspects’ court appearance this week is expected to determine the next stage of the investigation as families continue to call for urgent government intervention.
