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Nine Zimbabwean nationals have appeared in two separate courts in South Africa following their arrest over an alleged attempt to join the Russia-Ukraine war.
The nine men appeared on Monday after police arrested them on Sunday during an intelligence-led operation, according to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
Five of the accused appeared before the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court. Police arrested them at OR Tambo International Airport.
They are Weight Mudhanyane, 23; Javangwe Munyaradzi, 41; Wesley Sothole, 24; Abel Muchenje, 40; and Knowledge Ndunduma, 46.
The remaining four appeared before the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court after police arrested them at a hotel in Bruma. They are Bobo Chinhondo, 43; Batsirai Shereni, 24; Liberty Shereni, 44; and Niobe Zhou, 37. All nine face charges of violating South Africa’s Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act 15 of 1998.
In a statement on Monday, the NPA said a multidisciplinary team carried out the arrests after gathering intelligence during its investigation.
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“The arrests were effected on November 8 2026 following an intelligence-driven investigation. Acting on information gathered during the investigation, a multidisciplinary team conducted an operation that resulted in the arrest of the accused. It is alleged that the accused intended to leave South Africa to participate in the Russia-Ukraine war,” the NPA said.
Meanwhile, the court postponed the case involving the five accused in Kempton Park to November 10. This will allow them to secure legal representation.
The four accused who appeared in Johannesburg are expected to return to court on November 12 to also obtain legal representation.
