GAUTENG. – Vyf beskuldigdes wat glo probeer het om na Rusland te reis om by die Russiese weermag aan te sluit, is in die Kempton Park-landdroshof op borgtog vrygelaat. Hulle is by die OR Tambo Internasionale Lughawe in hegtenis geneem.
Phindi Mjonondwane, NVG-woordvoerder, sê Patricia Mantula (39), Thulani Mazibuko (24), Siphamandla Ntuli (23), Chabalala (23) en Sfiso Mabena (21) word aangekla van die oortreding van die wet op buitelandse militêre bystand. Die staat het nie borg teengestaan nie. Ntuli se aansoek het onder Bylae 5 geval, maar die hof het hom borg van R15 000 toegestaan. Mantula, wat glo die reisreëlings en werwing gefasiliteer het, is op R30 000 borg vrygelaat. Die oorblywende beskuldigdes het elk R5 000 borg ontvang. Mantula se reis is beperk tot binne Suid-Afrika.
Die saak is tot 10 Februarie 2026 uitgestel vir verdere ondersoek.
PRESS RELEASE
08 DECEMBER 2025
ACCUSED RUSSIAN MILITARY RECRUITS ARRESTED AT OR TAMBO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT GRANTED BAIL
Kempton Park, Gauteng – The Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court has granted bail to five accused: Patricia Mantula (39), Thulani Mazibuko (24), Siphamandla Ntuli (23), Chabalala (23), and Sfiso Mabena (21). They each face a charge of contravening the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act 15 of 1998. The State did not oppose bail for the five accused, as no grounds existed to justify their continued detention.
The State, however, indicated that the bail application of Ntuli fell within the ambit of Schedule 5. This placed an onus on him to convince the court, on a balance of probabilities, that the interests of justice permitted his release. The court found in his favour and granted him bail set at R15 000.
The accused were arrested following a tip-off from OR Tambo International Airport Police, who intercepted them as they attempted to travel to Russia via the United Arab Emirates. They were removed from the boarding gate after raising suspicion. It is further alleged that the first accused, Mantula, facilitated the travel and recruitment of her co-accused into the Russian Federation military. Subsequent investigations led to the apprehension of the remaining accused.
Due to their alleged varying roles, the court imposed different bail amounts. Mantula’s bail was set at R30 000, while the other accused were each granted bail of R5 000, with conditions. The court additionally restricted Mantula’s travel to within the borders of South Africa. The matter was postponed to 10 February 2026 for further investigation.
Issued by:
Phindi Mjonondwane
NPA Regional Spokesperson –
Gauteng Division: Johannesburg
