Nine Zimbabwean nationals have appeared in two separate courts in Gauteng following their arrest in connection with an alleged attempt to travel from South Africa to participate 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 before the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court following their arrest at OR Tambo International Airport.
The other four accused, Bobo Chinhondo (43), Batsirai Shereni (24), Liberty Shereni (44) and Niobe Zhou (37), appeared before the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court following their arrest at a hotel in Bruma.
All nine accused face charges of contravening the Regulation of Foreign Military Assistance Act 15 of 1998.
The arrests were effected on 08 November 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 matter involving the five accused who appeared before the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court was postponed to 10 November 2026 to allow them to secure legal representation.
The matter involving the four accused who appeared before the Johannesburg Magistrates’ Court was postponed to 12 November 2026 for the same purpose. All nine accused remain in custody.
The NPA reiterates its commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that alleged contraventions of South African law are prosecuted without fear, favour or prejudice. The accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.