(MENAFN) South African authorities have arrested four men at OR Tambo International Airport near Johannesburg for allegedly attempting to travel to Russia to join a foreign military, the Hawks (Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations) said on Saturday. The men were en route via the United Arab Emirates when detained following a tip-off.

They are expected to appear before Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court on Monday, facing charges under the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act, 15 of 1998, which prohibits South African citizens from engaging in unauthorized foreign military or mercenary activities.

A preliminary investigation reportedly revealed that a South African woman allegedly facilitated the recruitment and travel of these individuals to Russia, though her identity was not disclosed. Authorities have seized gadgets and two backpacks from the suspects as part of the probe and are coordinating with local and international intelligence agencies to determine the network’s full scope.

Reports indicate that dozens of Africans recruited to Russia have ended up on the front lines of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This investigation follows allegations that Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former President Jacob Zuma, recruited 17 South Africans to fight alongside Russian forces. Sambudla, a member of the opposition uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK), resigned from parliament last Friday amid the allegations.

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