By Charmaine Ndlela
Four suspects facing charges under the Foreign Military Assistance Regulation Act (Act 15 of 1998) are expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
The men were arrested on Friday at the OR Tambo International Airport following a tip-off from airport SAPS.
Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the suspects were intercepted at the boarding gate while attempting to travel to Russia via the United Arab Emirates.
“They were removed from the boarding gate after being flagged as suspicious and referred to the Hawks’ Crimes Against the State section,” Mogale said.
She added that upon the first suspect’s arrival at OR Tambo on 27 November 2025, an interview uncovered further evidence, leading to the arrest of three additional suspects the following day.
Preliminary investigations suggest that a South African woman had been facilitating the travel and recruitment of the individuals into the Russian Federation military.
Mogale confirmed that a search-and-seizure warrant is underway for another suspect believed to have assisted the group, as well as a fifth individual who has already left South Africa for Russia.
Electronic devices and two backpacks were seized for further investigation.
The Hawks are working with local and international intelligence agencies to determine the scope of the recruitment network and assess potential security risks.
It is alleged that a senior media personality is among those arrested.
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