A group of South African men are fighting on the frontlines of the Russia-Ukraine war after being recruited under seemingly false pretences.
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- A fifth suspect has been arrested in the investigation into how South Africans were recruited to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war.
- The suspect will join four others in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on charges relating to the Foreign Military Assistance Act.
- The arrests follow reports that at least 17 South Africans were offered MK Party bodyguard training before flying out of OR Tambo in July.
The Hawks have arrested a fifth suspect in relation to the ongoing investigation into South Africans being recruited into the Russian military.
According to Hawks spokesperson, Colonel Katlego Mogale, the suspect will join the other four on Monday in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court and will also face charges of contravening the Foreign Military Assistance Act.
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Four people, including a senior broadcaster from SAfm radio station, were arrested last week following a tipoff from OR Tambo SAPS regarding three men en route to Russia via the United Arab Emirates who were removed from the boarding gate as suspicious and referred to the Hawks’ Crimes Against the State (CATS) division.
Preliminary investigation revealed that a South African woman had been facilitating the travel and recruitment of these individuals into the Russian Federation Military.
Mogale added that a search-and-seizure warrant was obtained for an additional suspect, who is believed to be involved in the facilitation of the individuals into the Russian military, as well as another person who had already left the country for Russia.
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The arrests follow numerous reports regarding at least 17 South Africans who were offered training to become MK Party bodyguards before they flew out of OR Tambo Airport in July.
News24 previously reported that the men and their relatives alleged that they were recruited by Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, Blessing Khoza, and Siphokazi Xuma-Zuma.
They also alleged that the three convinced them to sign contracts written in Russian, which they did not understand, which have compelled them to fight in the war.
The Presidency of SA said the situation was “complex and sensitive” and it was handling the matter with the required discretion and urgency.
