State unsure about opposing bail for 5 suspects linked to Russian mercenary recruitment

The State in the case against the five people accused of being involved in Russian mercenary recruitment scandal said it is still unsure whether it will oppose their bid for bail.

The group appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrates Court on Monday, after being arrested at OR Tambo International Airport over the weekend, just moments before they were due to board a flight to Russia.

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It’s alleged that two of the suspects played a central role in recruiting the other three co-accused to join the Russian frontlines.

The group is accused of violating legislation that governs how South Africans may participate in foreign military or mercenary activities.

SABC broadcaster Nonkululeko Mantula and 46-year-old Xolani Ntuli are accused of recruiting five young men to join the Russian frontlines.

They entered the dock with their heads lowered, followed by 21-year-old Sifiso Mabena, 23-year-old Siphamandla Chabalala and 24-year-old Thulani Mazibuko, who are the men they are alleged to have recruited.

The three, all from the East Rand, were stopped by airport police just minutes before they were due to board their flight.

Prosecutor Pieter Erasmus said the State has not yet decided whether it will oppose bail.

“At this stage, the State objects to the granting of bail, but there is a good possibility that the State will, after certain preliminary investigations, not object to the granting of bail.”

The case was postponed to next Monday for a formal bail application. For now, the group remains behind bars.