Four nabbed at OR Tambo for trying to join foreign military

The Hawks have arrested four men at OR Tambo International Airport who were allegedly on their way to Russia to join the country’s military forces. 

The arrests come amid claims that 17 other men were manipulated allegedly by Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla into joining the Russian front line. 

Four men were stopped at OR Tambo International Airport on Friday night, moments before boarding a flight to Russia via the United Arab Emirates.

Officials interviewed the men before departure, and the information they provided later formed part of an active investigation into their alleged plans to join a foreign military a contravention of the regulation of foreign military assistance act.

Hawks’ Spokesperson Katlego Mogale said investigations have revealed the involvement of a woman believed to have helped facilitate the trip.

"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.”

The woman is also believed to have played a role in recruiting the group into the Russian federation’s military structure.