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Five South Africans who were arrested at the OR Tambo International Airport over the weekend appeared in court on Monday over charges relating to recruitment and fighting for Russia in its war with Ukraine.
This comes amid allegations that 17 South Africans who were tricked into joining the Russian army are on the frontlines of the conflict in Donbas.
Among the suspects is a seasoned female journalist who was arrested on Thursday on her return to South Africa at OR Tambo International Airport from Russia. Three suspects were arrested at the airport on Friday, and another on Saturday.
“The arrests emanate from a tip-off from OR Tambo SAPS regarding three males 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 section,” said Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale.
They are accused of violating the regulation of the Foreign Military Assistance Act of 1998 by helping recruit South Africans to join the Russian army.
A Hawks spokesperson confirmed that more suspects could still be arrested.
Speaking to the media outside court, Mogale said the case against Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former South African President Jacob Zuma, is separate but did rule that the two matters might converge.
Earlier, Nkosazana Zuma-Mncube filed a police report alleging that her sister Zuma-Sambudla and two others, Siphokazi Xuma and Blessing Khoza, had recruited 17 men, including eight Zuma relatives.
According to Zuma-Mncube, the victims were lured in the pretence that they would be training as bodyguards for the Zumas’ uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party
In response, Zuma-Sambudla alleges that she was deceived into recruiting for what she believed was a legitimate course after she herself attended a month-long training programme in Russia.
Meanwhile, the Hawks spokesperson has warned South Africans not to be lured into overseas jobs that are not real.
“Many campaigns are done in September, and we do give tips where we talk to trafficking in persons, and we do give tips on how to recognise and do diligence in asserting if that place does exist or it only exists,” Mogale explained
The five accused were remanded in custody until December 8 for a bail application.
