Tenth Foreign National Arrested In South Africa Over Russia-Ukraine War Recruitment

South African police have arrested another foreign national suspected of attempting to travel to the Russia-Ukraine war, bringing the number of people detained in connection with the alleged recruitment operation to 10.

The 38-year-old suspect was apprehended on Wednesday during a coordinated operation involving several law enforcement agencies and security partners.

The latest arrest follows the detention of nine Zimbabwean nationals earlier this month, who are accused of trying to leave South Africa to join the conflict.

Also Read: 9 Zimbabweans Arrested In South Africa Over Alleged Russia-Ukraine War Recruitment

Multiple Agencies Involved In Latest Arrest

According to The Citizen, South African Police Service (SAPS) said the arrest was carried out by an integrated multidisciplinary investigation team.

The operation brought together Interpol Pretoria’s National Central Bureau, the Hawks’ Crimes Against the State and Serious Organised Crime Investigation teams based in Germiston, as well as international law enforcement agencies.

SAPS Crime Intelligence, the Modus Operandi Centre, the Gauteng Provincial Tracking Team and various security companies also participated in the investigation.

The 38-year-old now faces charges under the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act 15 of 1998, which governs South Africans and foreign military assistance activities within the country.

Nine Zimbabweans Arrested Earlier

The latest development comes days after nine Zimbabwean men appeared in two separate Gauteng courts following their arrests over an alleged attempt to travel from South Africa to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Five of the accused — Weight Mudhanyane, 23, Javangwe Munyaradzi, 41, Wesley Sothole, 24, Abel Muchenje, 40, and Knowledge Ndunduma, 46 — appeared at the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court.

They were arrested at OR Tambo International Airport.

The remaining four, Bobo Chinhondo, 43, Batsirai Shereni, 24, Liberty Shereni, 44, and Niobe Zhou, 37, appeared at the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court after being arrested at a hotel in Bruma.

All Nine Face Military Assistance Charges

The nine Zimbabweans were arrested on 8 November 2026 following an intelligence-led investigation.

They are all facing charges of contravening the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act 15 of 1998.

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