PRETORIA: 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.
The arrests followed a tip-off from OR Tambo SAPS regarding four males who were en route to Russia via the United Arab Emirates. The individuals were intercepted and removed from the boarding gate after being flagged as suspicious, and subsequently referred to the Hawks’ Crimes Against the State (CATS) section. 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.
A search and seizure warrant was executed for an additional suspect believed to be involved in the facilitation of the four men, as well as a fifth individual who had already departed South Africa for Russia. Upon the suspect’s arrival at OR Tambo International Airport (ORTIA) on 27 November 2025, the individual was interviewed, during which further evidence was uncovered. This resulted in the arrest of three additional suspects on 28 November 2025. Electronic gadgets and two backpacks were seized for further investigation.
Coordination with intelligence structures and international counterparts is ongoing to determine the full extent of the network and any further potential security threats.
