Russia recruitment bust: 4 snatched at OR Tambo in military plot

Handcuffs

Johannesburg – Four men were reportedly arrested at OR Tambo International Airport for allegedly attempting to travel to Russia to join the Russian military.

The Hawks, acting on a police tip-off, intercepted the men before their departure via the UAE.

“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,” IOL quoted Hawks as saying.

“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.

Further search-and-seizure operations uncovered more evidence, leading to the arrest of three additional suspects.

Electronic devices and backpacks were confiscated, and authorities confirmed they are working with local and international intelligence agencies to determine the scale of the recruitment network.

The arrests come as former president Jacob Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, resigned as an MK Party MP following allegations that she helped recruit 17 South Africans for Russia.

According to AFP, Police last week said they were investigating allegations that Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, an MP in her father’s Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party, had lured 17 South African men to Russia “to fight in the Ukrainian war without their knowledge or consent”.

The presidency said in early November it had been asked to bring home the 17 men who were allegedly “trapped” in Donbas after being lured there “under the pretext of lucrative employment contracts”.

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Compiled by Betha Madhomu

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