Russia-Ukraine War
1Min
South Africa
Nov 29, 2025
Four men were arrested at OR Tambo after allegedly attempting to travel to Russia to join its military. The Hawks say they acted on a tip-off and intercepted the group at the boarding gate. A woman is believed to have facilitated their recruitment, with further suspects and electronic devices now under investigation.
Four suspects are expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on Monday after they were intercepted at OR Tambo International Airport on suspicion of trying to travel to Russia to join the country’s military.
Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the men were arrested on Friday after a tip-off from OR Tambo SAPS.
“The arrests followed a tip-off regarding four males who were en route to Russia via the United Arab Emirates,” she said. “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.”
According to Mogale, 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 executed a search-and-seizure warrant for an additional suspect believed to be involved in organising the group, as well as a fifth person who had already departed South Africa for Russia. “Upon the suspect’s arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on 27 November 2025, the individual was interviewed, during which further evidence was uncovered,” Mogale said.
This resulted in the arrest of three additional suspects on Friday.
Electronic gadgets and two backpacks were seized for further analysis.
Mogale said coordination with local and foreign agencies was underway. “Coordination with intelligence structures and international counterparts is ongoing to determine the full extent of the network and any further potential security threats,” she said.
