Nine people aged between 20 and 26 have been arrested at OR Tambo International Airport and a Bruma hotel in South Africa over alleged plans to travel abroad for military involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The arrests were made by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as the Hawks, following intelligence gathered during an investigation involving Interpol and other international law enforcement agencies.
According to Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale, investigators identified the suspects' alleged plans to travel abroad and moved in to apprehend them. The suspects were allegedly preparing to board flights out of the country when they were arrested. The Hawks said they remained committed to working with local and international law enforcement agencies to combat crime and ensure compliance with South African law.
The nine suspects are expected to face charges relating to the contravention of the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act 15 of 1998. This Act regulates South Africans' involvement in foreign military activities and assistance. The acting Gauteng provincial head of the Hawks, Brigadier Paulina Sekgobela, commended the multidisciplinary team for its coordinated efforts that led to the arrests.
The arrests come amid ongoing concerns about the recruitment of South Africans to participate in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Earlier this year, President Cyril Ramaphosa and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed efforts to repatriate 17 South Africans who were reportedly recruited to fight alongside Russian forces.
The men, mainly from KwaZulu-Natal and one from the Eastern Cape, had reportedly been lured by promises of lucrative employment before finding themselves caught up in the conflict in the Donbas region. The South African government subsequently engaged Russian authorities to facilitate their return.
The Hawks' efforts to combat crime and ensure compliance with South African law are ongoing. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation plays a crucial role in investigating and prosecuting high-priority crimes, including those related to foreign military assistance.
The Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act 15 of 1998 aims to regulate South Africans' involvement in foreign military activities and assistance, and those found guilty of contravening the Act may face severe penalties.
Key points
- The nine suspects were arrested over alleged plans to travel abroad for military involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
- The arrests were made following intelligence gathered during an investigation involving Interpol and other international law enforcement agencies.
- The suspects are expected to face charges relating to the contravention of the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act 15 of 1998.
