JOHANNESBURG - "Russia does not care about you, me or anyone."
That's the stark warning of Defence analyst Ricardo Teixeira to any would be South African mercenaries to Russia.
His caution comes just hours after the Hawks confirmed the arrest of a fifth suspect due to appear in court on charges of contravening the Foreign Military Assistance Regulation Act.
One of the suspects includes a well-known media personality.
READ| Fifth suspect arrested in alleged Russian military recruitment case
The arrests coincide with the resignation of Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla who quit her position as MK Party Member of Parliament last Friday.
Zuma Sambudla is accused of having played a part in sending 17 men to Russia who ended up on the front lines of the Russia-Ukraine war.
The MK party says her resignation will allow her to focus on efforts to return those trapped in Ukraine's Donbas region.
Meanwhile, Teixeira says the biggest worry in a country like South Africa, where unemployment is high is that potential recruits maybe lured by lucrative signing-up bonuses.