Five to appear in court for allegedly recruiting South Africans for Russian army
The Hawks have arrested a fifth suspect in connection with an alleged recruitment scheme that saw several South Africans join the Russia–Ukraine war.
The latest suspect is expected to appear alongside four others in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Monday, where they will face charges relating to the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act.
“The arrest forms part of an expanding investigation that began on 28 November, when four men were removed from a boarding gate at OR Tambo International Airport. Airport police had received a tip-off about the group, who were reportedly en route to Russia via the United Arab Emirates,” said the Hawks’ Katlego Mogale on Sunday.
Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of former President Jacob Zuma, has also been allegedly accused of taking part in recruiting men to join Russian mercenaries in the Ukraine war.
Sambudla has stepped down as a uMkhonto Wesizwe parliament member after being accused of luring 17 South African men to Russia "to fight in the Ukrainian war without their knowledge or consent”.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that a South African female had been facilitating the travel and recruitment of these individuals into the Russian Federation military,” said Mogale, adding that when the suspect landed at OR Tambo on 27 November, Hawks officers interviewed him, uncovering further evidence.
That led to the arrest of three additional men the following day. Electronic devices and two backpacks were also confiscated for further analysis.
The fifth suspect had already landed in Russia at the time of their arrest.
“Coordination with intelligence and international counterparts is ongoing to determine the full extent of the network and any further security threats,”
Mogale said.
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