World · Africa · 5 hrs ago
Nine foreign nationals arrested in South Africa over alleged plans to join war
South African police arrested nine foreign nationals in Johannesburg on Sunday as they allegedly prepared to travel to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war.
The suspects, aged 20 to 26, were detained at O.R. Tambo Airport and a nearby hotel, after an investigation involving Interpol and other law enforcement agencies.
Police have not said where they planned to go or which side they intended to join, and have not disclosed their nationalities.
South Africa’s law restricts mercenary activity and military assistance to foreign parties without government permission.
The arrests come amid concern about Africans being recruited to fight for Russia, sometimes with promises of civilian jobs that lead to combat.
Previous cases in South Africa have involved allegations that citizens were misled into joining Russian forces, but authorities have not linked those cases to these nine suspects.
The nine are expected to appear in court on charges under South Africa’s foreign military assistance law, though officials have not given a date.
Nine foreign nationals aged 20 to 26 have been arrested in South Africa over alleged plans to leave the country and join the Russia-Ukraine war.
The arrests took place on Sunday at O.R. Tambo International Airport and a hotel in Bruma, east of Johannesburg.
Authorities said the suspects were preparing to board flights, but their intended destination and which side they planned to fight for remain unclear.
The suspects are accused of violating South Africa’s laws on foreign military assistance.
They are expected to appear in court, while the investigation continues.
- Who
- Nine foreign nationals aged 20 to 26. Their nationalities have not been disclosed.
- What
- They were arrested over alleged plans to leave South Africa and join the Russia-Ukraine war.
- When
- Sunday, 8 November 2026.
- Where
- O.R. Tambo International Airport and a hotel in Bruma, Gauteng.
- Why
- Authorities allege they planned to join the conflict and violated South Africa’s laws on foreign military assistance.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Authorities arrested the nine foreign nationals at O.R. Tambo International Airport and a hotel in Bruma.
The suspects were expected to appear in court.
- Suspects
- Nine foreign nationals
- Age range
- 20 to 26
- Arrest locations
- O.R. Tambo International Airport and a hotel in Bruma
- Operation
- Involved the Hawks, Interpol and other law enforcement agencies
- Legal provision
- Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act 15 of 1998
3 sources
What people are saying
preparing to board flights out of the country