Four people have been arrested for the alleged recruitment of South African nationals to join the Russian military.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) made the arrests on Saturday. While the Hawks did not confirm, sources have also revealed that a senior media personality is among those arrested.
The arrests followed a tip-off from OR Tambo International Airport police regarding four men travelling to Russia via the United Arab Emirates.
The men were stopped at the boarding gate and handed over to the Hawks’ Crimes Against the State (CATS) unit for further investigation.
Four suspects are expected to appear before the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 01 December 2025, following their arrest on Friday, 28 November 2025, on suspicion of contravening the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act, 15 of 1998.
“A preliminary investigation revealed that a South African female had allegedly been facilitating the travel and recruitment of these individuals into the Russian Federation military,” the Hawks said.
The Hawks also confirmed that search-and-seizure operations were carried out in relation to additional suspects believed to be linked to the facilitation network.
“A search and seizure warrant was executed for an additional suspect believed to be involved in the facilitation of the four men, as well as a fifth individual who had already departed South Africa for Russia”. “Upon the suspect’s arrival at OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) on 27 November 2025, the individual was interviewed, during which further evidence was uncovered.
“This resulted in the arrest of three additional suspects on November 28 2025. Electronic gadgets and two backpacks were seized for further investigation”.
The Hawks added they are working with local and international intelligence agencies to uncover how wide the network is and to identify any additional security risks.
Coordination with intelligence structures and international counterparts is ongoing to determine the full extent of the network and any further potential security threats”.
Meanwhile, former president Jacob Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, resigned as an MK Party MP amid allegations she was part of those who recruited 17 men to Russia.
She resigned on Friday and the announcement was made at a press conference in Durban.