The people are suspected of allegedly recruiting South African nationals to join the Russian military for the Russia-Ukraine war. The suspects face charges of contravening the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act of 1998. Four suspects were arrested following a tip-off from OR Tambo International Airport police about four individuals travelling to Russia via the United Arab Emirates. The suspects were stopped at the boarding gate and handed over to the Hawks' Crimes Against the State (CATS) unit. A fifth suspect was arrested later. Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former President Jacob Zuma, resigned as an MK Party MP amid allegations that she was involved in recruiting South Africans to join Russian forces.