JOHANNESBURG

Police in South Africa have arrested four men who were travelling to Russia via the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on suspicion that they were heading to join a foreign military.

South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (Hawks) said in a statement on Saturday that the men were arrested on Friday at OR Tambo International Airport near Johannesburg following a tip-off.

The Hawks said the suspects are expected to appear before the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court on Monday on charges of contravening the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act, 15 of 1998.

South African law prohibits citizens and residents from participating in unauthorized foreign military activities or mercenary work.

“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 statement said without naming the suspect.

The Hawks said they had seized gadgets and two backpacks from the suspects for further investigation, as they work with local and international intelligence partners to determine the full scope of the network.

According to reports, dozens of Africans who were lured to Russia for jobs have ended up on the front lines of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

South African police launched an investigation this month into allegations that Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, former President Jacob Zuma's daughter, lured 17 South Africans into fighting alongside Russia in its ongoing war.

Sambudla, a member of the opposition uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK), resigned from parliament on Friday following the allegations.