Johannesburg – Police have arrested another suspect linked to the illegal recruitment of South Africans to fight for Russia in its war against Ukraine.
The Hawks say the arrest forms part of an ongoing investigation into how 17 South Africans were recruited.
The latest suspect, who will appear in the Kempton Park Magistrates Court on Monday, was identified after four men were intercepted at OR Tambo International Airport while attempting to travel to Russia via the UAE.
“The suspect will join the other four on Monday, 01 December 2025 in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s court also facing charges of contravening the Foreign Military Assistance Act,” the Hawks said in a statement.
#sapsHAWKS Another suspect has been arrested by the Hawks’ Crimes Against the State in relation to the ongoing investigation into how several South Africans were facilitated into involvement in the Russia/Ukraine war.
The suspect will join the other four on Monday, 01… https://t.co/k4TBesCTbL pic.twitter.com/TygWXsVUCu
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) November 30, 2025
A preliminary investigation found that a South African woman had allegedly been organising the travel and recruitment of the group, prompting a search-and-seizure operation targeting additional suspects, including one person who had already left for Russia.
Authorities are now probing the full extent of the suspected recruitment network and any potential national security risks.
The arrests come as MK Party MP Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla resigned amid allegations that she was involved in facilitating the recruitment of South Africans for Russia.
The DA has laid charges against her and her sister, Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube, who has accused Zuma-Sambudla of recruiting family members.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
