Johannesburg, South Africa – South African police announced on Saturday that they had detained four men at Johannesburg International Airport as they attempted to travel to Russia. They are suspected of intending to join the Russian military.
Authorities said the arrests took place on Thursday and Friday. They indicated that the suspects would appear in court near Johannesburg on Monday.
Police stated that the detainees are suspected of violating a South African law. This law prohibits citizens from joining foreign militaries without full government approval.
The elite police unit took over the investigation. In a statement, it confirmed that it had previously uncovered “a recruitment network run by a South African national to facilitate the dispatch of volunteers to Russia.”
These arrests came after 17 South African citizens appealed to President Cyril Ramaphosa for help in returning home. They found themselves stranded in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine.
The accusations also extended to Dodozile Zuma-Budla, the daughter of former President Jacob Zuma from a previous relationship. She is suspected of involvement in recruiting men, some as young as 17.
She announced her resignation from parliament, as confirmed by Nkosinathi Nhleko, leader of the MK party, which is led by Jacob Zuma.
Media reports estimate that 1,426 Africans from 36 countries have been identified as having served in the Russian military. However, the actual number is believed to be much higher.
While some men are being sent to the front lines, increasing numbers of African women are heading to Russia for jobs described as “lucrative.” However, reports indicate that many of them end up working in drone manufacturing plants in rural areas of the Russian Republic of Tatarstan.
