South Africa Arrests 9 for Attempting to Join Russia-Ukraine War
Nine foreigners arrested in South Africa for planning to join Russia’s war in Ukraine, citing legal restrictions on mercenary activity.
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South African police have arrested nine foreign nationals, aged 20 to 26, for attempting to fly to Russia and join the war in Ukraine. The suspects were intercepted at O.R. Tambo Airport in Johannesburg and a nearby hotel as they prepared to depart for Russia. The investigation involved local and international law enforcement agencies, including Interpol.
Legal Framework Against Mercenary Activity
South Africa has a 1998 law, the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act, which prohibits mercenary activity and restricts the country’s military assistance to foreign conflicts. This law also applies to foreign nationals within South Africa’s jurisdiction.
Initially, the police statement did not specify the nationalities of the suspects or which side of the war they intended to join. However, later statements indicated that the nine arrested were Zimbabweans. South Africa and other African nations have long criticized Russia for recruiting citizens under false pretenses.
Russian Recruitment Scandals Across Africa
In February, Kenyan intelligence revealed that over 1,000 Kenyans were recruited by Russia with false promises of safe jobs in Russia. Upon arrival, they were immediately sent to the Ukrainian battlefield, with many killed, injured, or missing in action. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha noted that Russia had lured over 1,700 Africans into the war through deceptive schemes.
Notable Cases in South Africa
In November 2025, South African police arrested Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, daughter of former president Jacob Zuma, for a plot to recruit at least 17 South Africans to fight for Russia. Zuma-Sambudla was a lawmaker in the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, which her father founded. Victims were duped into believing they would have high-paying positions as bodyguards but were instead sent to the Donbas region in Ukraine.
Continuing Concerns and Human Trafficking
In June 2026, Zimbabwean police arrested Edward Kachingwe for allegedly recruiting Zimbabwean men for combat. Kachingwe was arrested in Harare while attempting to board a bus with five recruits heading to South Africa. Zimbabwean officials reported that at least 15 of their nationals have been killed in Ukraine, with dozens more still trapped on the frontlines.
Information Minister Zhemu Soda described the scheme as a ‘sophisticated scheme of deception, exploitation, and human trafficking’ that has already cost Zimbabwean lives.
Source: Breitbart
