South Africa detains nine Zimbabweans suspected of heading to join Russia-Ukraine war

Johannesburg – Nine Zimbabwean nationals have appeared in two Gauteng courts after being arrested over an alleged attempt to leave South Africa and participate in the Russia-Ukraine war.

According to The Citizen, five of the accused appeared in the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court following their arrest at OR Tambo International Airport on Sunday night.

The other four appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court after being arrested at a hotel in Bruma.

All nine have been charged with contravening South Africa’s Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act 15 of 1998.

The arrests followed an intelligence-driven operation involving the Hawks, Interpol, SAPS Crime Intelligence and other international law-enforcement agencies.

IOL reported that the suspects, aged between 20 and 26 according to the Hawks, were allegedly preparing to board flights out of South Africa when they were intercepted.

“Acting on intelligence gathered during the investigation, the multidisciplinary team operationalised an intervention that resulted in the arrest of the nine suspects,” Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said.

“The suspects were allegedly preparing to board flights out of the country when they were apprehended,” he added.

The Citizen reported that the Kempton Park case was postponed to Tuesday, November 10, while the Johannesburg matter was postponed to Thursday, November 12, to allow the accused to secure legal representation. All nine remain in custody.

The arrests come amid growing concerns over the recruitment of Africans to fight in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Associated Press reported earlier this year that 15 Zimbabweans had been killed after allegedly being lured into the war by fraudulent recruiters, while Zimbabwean authorities were seeking the return of 66 others.

The recruits were reportedly promised well-paid civilian jobs but were instead sent to the battlefield after travelling to Russia.

Al Jazeera also reported that people from several African countries have allegedly been recruited to fight for Russia, with some being promised civilian employment before being sent to the front lines.

The outlet cited Ukrainian officials as saying that more than 1,700 people from 36 African countries were known to be fighting for Russia.

The National Prosecuting Authority stressed that the Zimbabwean suspects have not been convicted.

“The accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law,” NPA spokesperson Magaboke Mohlatlole said, according to The Citizen.

Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram

For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com