Johannesburg:The Democratic Alliance (DA) is demanding answers in parliament following the arrest of nine foreign nationals at OR Tambo International Airport and a hotel in Bruma. These individuals are suspected of planning to engage in the Russia–Ukraine war.

According to Democratic Alliance, the party has expressed its approval of the coordinated law enforcement operation that led to the arrests. The DA insists that the ongoing investigation should determine who was responsible for recruiting the suspects, financing their travel, and facilitating their movements.

The DA plans to submit a series of parliamentary questions to the Ministers of International Relations and Cooperation and Police. The questions aim to uncover how many South Africans are currently in Russia or the conflict zone, including those who are injured, missing, detained, or awaiting repatriation. Additionally, the DA seeks to confirm whether the remaining two members of a group of 17 South Africans have returned, as 15 were confirmed home in February.

The party also inquires about the progress in investigating and prosecuting those allegedly involved in recruitment, financing, and facilitation for the conflict, and what measures are in place to prevent South Africa from becoming a transit point for illegal foreign military recruitment. DIRCO had previously confirmed that two other South Africans, not part of the group of 17, had died on the front lines. Amnesty International has reported cases of deceptive recruitment into Russian forces, which they conclude often amount to human trafficking.

Furthermore, the DA will seek clarification on the protection, medical care, and support available to returnees and their families. The military intentions of the nine arrested individuals have not been publicly confirmed, and investigators are tasked with determining their circumstances, including whether they were deceived or trafficked.

The DA emphasizes that accountability should follow for bringing exploited South Africans home, ensuring that anyone implicated by evidence faces legal action, regardless of political ties. The party firmly states that South Africa must avoid becoming a recruitment or transit hub that supplies vulnerable individuals to foreign conflicts.