A South African radio presenter, Nonkululeko Patricia Mantula, has appeared in court alongside four men, accused of recruiting individuals to join the Russian military.
The 39-year-old presenter of The Morning Bliss on SAFM radio station, was arrested at Johannesburg’s international airport with four men aged 21-46, attempting to travel to Russia via the United Arab Emirates.
They face charges under the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act, which prohibits South Africans from joining foreign armies without permission.
The arrests come amid allegations that 17 South African citizens were lured to join mercenary forces in Ukraine, with some reportedly tricked into fighting for Russia.
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former President Jacob Zuma, resigned as an MP after being accused of involvement in the scheme, which she denies.
Mantula and her co-accused were remanded in custody and are due back in court on December 8 for a bail hearing.
The South African government has condemned the exploitation of vulnerable individuals and is working to repatriate those trapped in Ukraine.
