Kiev and international outlets note a significant number of African nationals in Russian ranks, with broader concerns about lucrative contracts and recruitment across Africa.

The arrests come as a separate probe examines the 17 South Africans who claimed to be stranded in Donbas and reached out to the president for help, with Zuma family-linked figures implicated in the recruitment effort.

This situation sits within a broader context of alleged recruitment networks involving African nationals for Russia amid ongoing geopolitical security concerns.

Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, faces allegations of organizing recruitment of the 17 men; she resigned from Parliament amid the developments.

Authorities are also investigating Zuma-Sambudla regarding alleged involvement in luring men to Russia under false pretences.

Four South African men were arrested at Johannesburg’s boarding gate on suspicion of plans to travel to Russia to fight in its military, with alleged recruitment facilitated by a South African woman.

Preliminary investigations indicate a South African woman helped facilitate their travel and recruitment into the Russian armed forces, according to the Hawks.

A search and seizure warrant expanded the investigation to a fifth person believed to be in Russia, with the woman alleged to have organized travel and recruitment.

Related allegations touch on Zuma-Sambudla and her sister over the 17 South Africans sent to Ukraine without consent, as investigations continue and clarifications are sought from parties involved.

Authorities are coordinating with intelligence agencies and international partners to map the full network and identify any additional security threats.

Earlier reports noted 17 other South Africans stranded in Ukraine after being lured into mercenary roles, prompting an official review ordered by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Ramaphosa has ordered an investigation into how the 17 South Africans came to fight in Ukraine as part of ongoing efforts to bring them home.