Update: Another suspect has been arrested by the Hawks’ Crimes against the State in relation to the ongoing investigation into how several South Africans were facilitated into involvement in the Russia/Ukraine war.
The suspect will join the other four on Monday, 01 December 2025 in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s court also facing charges of contravening the Foreign Military Assistance Act.
-Staff Writer / 29, Sat Nov 2025
A senior media personality is among four suspects nabbed by members of the Hawks for allegedly contravening the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act, 15 of 1998.
Hawks National spokesperson, Katlego Mogale, confirmed that the arrests followed a tip-off from OR Tambo SAPS about four men who were reportedly en route to Russia via the United Arab Emirates(UAE).
The suspects were intercepted at the boarding gate after being flagged as suspicious and were subsequently referred to the Hawks’ Crimes Against the State (CATS) unit.
A preliminary investigation suggested that a South African woman had allegedly been facilitating the travel and recruitment of the individuals into the Russian Federation military.
Mogale said a search and seizure warrant was executed for an additional suspect believed to have assisted the four men, as well as a fifth person who had already left South Africa for Russia.
The suspect was interviewed upon arrival at OR Tambo International Airport on 27 November 2025, during which further evidence was obtained. This led to the arrest of three more suspects on 28 November 2025.
Electronic gadgets and two backpacks were confiscated for further analysis. Mogale added that coordination with intelligence structures and international counterparts is continuing to determine the full extent of the network and identify any further security threats.
The suspects are expected to appear in the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 1 December 2025, after their arrest on Friday, 28 November 2025.
News Junction (Gold Standard)